No foreign items in February’s int’l Footwear & Leather show in Colombo

From Left: Managing Director Ceylon Leather Products PLC Sitendra Senaratne (also Chairman of 8th F&L Fair Organising Committee), EDB’s  Addl. Director General (Development) Jeevani Siriwardena,  EDB Executive Director Dr. Yousuf K. Maraikkar, Development Division Director of Ministry of Industry & Commerce T.M.B Manike, and EDB Addl. Director General Rekha M.P.Hewaliyanage on 26 January at 8th Footwear and Leather exhibitor briefing session. 

In a new step to enhance the global reputation of Lankan Footwear & Leather (F&L) sector, Sri Lanka’s apex export facilitator EDB locked the presence of any imported F&L items at the forthcoming international Footwear and Leather (F&L) show to be held in Colombo in February, thereby greatly re-assuring the prospective Lankan F&L exhibitors.  Meanwhile, the international reception for the ongoing Colombo F&L series is such that prospective buyers from four countries already confirmed their arrival to EDB by 26 January.

“Our footwear and leather manufacturers need to be linked to global markets. This series of exhibitions is the best platform for Lankan F&L sector to find ways into the competitive global markets” said EDB’s  Addl. Director General (Development) Jeevani Siriwardena on 26 January at EDB.

ADG Siriwardena was addressing the pre-event participant briefing session for the forthcoming eighth Footwear and Leather international expo that kicks off on 5th February and closes on 7 February at BMICH, Colombo. Reps from more than 50 Lankan Footwear and Leather firms joining the 5th February expo gathered at the DHPL auditorium on 26 January to begin their preparations. The Footwear and Lather exhibition series –a joint effort of Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Industrial Development Board under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and Sri Lanka Footwear and Leather Products Manufacturers Association-has been attracting more and more global exhibitors since its start in 2007 and has now become a showcase of latest Lankan F&L production and design trends. The February event also has design and best stall competitions, a fashion show and highlighting of most innovative SMEs packed into it. Joining the 26 January session were Managing Director Ceylon Leather Products PLC Sitendra Senaratne (also Chairman of 8th F&L Fair Organising Committee), EDB Executive Director Dr. Yousuf K. Maraikkar, Development Division Director of Ministry of Industry & Commerce T.M.B Manike, and EDB Addl. Director General Rekha M.P.Hewaliyanage.

High quality, sustained volumes and competitive pricing have been key factors contributing to the success of Sri Lanka’s footwear & leather products industry. The surging attraction of Lankan F&L for the global buyer is such that the $34 Mn F&L exports in 2010 has exceeded $ 108 Mn by 2014, rising by 217%.  

“Footwear and leather exports is a great way to showcase Sri Lanka’s exports diversification as well as advertise the country in global fashion markets. Not only our footwear and leather manufacturers need to be supported but they also need to be linked to global markets” said ADG Siriwardena and added: “This series of Footwear and Leather exhibitions is the best platform for Lankan F&L sector to find ways into the competitive global market. It is important to ensure our supply strengths before we embark on international promotions, and exhibitions of this nature is critical to enhance our production capacities due to the international exposure, and helps EDB to help exporters to go global. In fact, there will be over 30 international exhibitors from overseas taking part at this event.”

During the briefing, EDB officials continuously stressed that no foreign items would be allowed to be on display in the February fair in order to showcase the global reputation of Lankan F&L products. 

The total stalls at F&L 2007 was 141 and in 2015, it rose to 227. In the February’s F&L show, 106 local and 16 foreign firms shall be displaying their products in 230 stalls. Already, prospective buyers (and not mere participants) from India, Pakistan, Oman and even Kenya have confirmed their arrival to the EDB to take part in the eighth F&L fair.