Friday, 7 February 2014 01:01
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19 Indian exhibitors and other delegates from eight countries participating
A wide range including machinery on display
A wide range of Lankan made footwear, leather products, components and accessories will go on display when the sixth edition of Footwear and Leather Fair starts today in Colombo with no less than 225 exhibitors and a strong global presence.
“Nineteen Indian exhibitors, foreign buyers from several countries and even a delegation from Iran are taking part from tomorrow at the 6th Footwear & Leather Fair,” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen.
With his officials, Minister Bathiudeen was reviewing the progress of the sixth edition of the
Footwear and Leather Fair which starts tomorrow at the BMICH, in Colombo.
Accordingly, 19 Indian exhibitors from its Footwear Component Manufacturers Association (IFCOMA) and one Chinese exhibitor are scheduled to participate at the exhibition. Foreign buyers from Egypt, France, Korea, Kenya, Germany, Seychelles and India including a delegation from Iran are also expected at the event. Diplomatic corps representing 13 countries too are expected to grace the occasion.
The sixth edition, organised by the Export Development Board, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Industrial Development Board and the Sri Lanka Footwear and Leather Products Manufacturers’ Association (SLFLPMA), is the international level platform for Lankan footwear and leather product exporters, manufacturers and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to showcase their talents and capabilities locally and globally.
Also on display at this three day event are travel goods, raw materials and machinery.
The three day exposition at BMICH will conclude on 9 February and will pack such events as, a Designer Award Ceremony, an exclusive Fashion Show and a stall competition.
On display are footwear, raw material, travel goods, chemicals, leather goods, components and accessories as well as machinery. In addition to the general public, importers, buying houses, traders, designers, wholesalers, agents, brand owners and industrialists are expected to grace the expo.
According to the EDB, Sri Lanka is capable of producing up to 15 million pairs of footwear annually, excluding rubber thongs which alone is estimated to total between 27 and 30 million pairs annually. The footwear industry at present employs about 20,000 people directly and indirectly includes 10 large export companies, 30 medium scale companies and about 3,000 small scale manufacturers. Footwear sector which showed a growth in the past four years (2004-2007), was badly reflected by global recession in the years of 2008 and 2009.
The value of exports of footwear and leather products accounts for $ 12.24 million and $ 18.95 million respectively in the year 2012 and $ 29.27 million and $ 21.61 million in 2013 shows an increase in exports of footwear and leather products compared to the corresponding year of 2012. It is important to mention that footwear sector was able to obtain a significant growth of 139.13% in the year 2013. The first ever Footwear and Leather Fair was held in 2007.
