Leather fair begins with a Big Bang in Chennai
S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @svs037
The 34th edition of India International International Leather fair began today with a Big Bang. The three day fair is being organised by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) in association with Council for Leather Exports (CLE).
Executive director of ITPO Deepak Kumar said the leather fair is a magnum opus event for India and has emerged as a conversion point for the business fraternity.
He said the fair is spread across 10000 square metres and has about 450 exhibitors. This time the focus is on green affairs during the event which will showcase the eco-friendly phase of the leather industry. He said they will make attempts to ensure that the exhibition will be held on enhanced space in the coming years. This will enable more players to participate in the coming years.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Suresh Prabhu said package for leather industry has been formed which is in advanced stages of implementation. He further said money has been provided for skill generation, modernisation of leather industry, hope industry takes advantage of this and surges ahead.
Deputy Chief Minister of Tamilnadu O Pannerselvam said leather industry has been in existence for a long time in the state of Tamilnadu. Leather bags were used to store water and irrigate the agricultural lands in Tamilnadu. Superior craftsmanship and high dedication to work ensures high quality in Indian leather products. He said Tamilnadu has a major role in leather production, about 60 percent of it comes from the state, he said.
While Chennai, Ambur, Trichy are among major leather centres in Tamilnadu, he said the state government will continue to render required suppprt to the industry.
P R Aqeel Ahmed, chairman, Council for Leather Exports (CLE) said leather industry has a potential to make it big. It has seen a growth of 5.77 percent during April to November last year. In the coming years it will see more growth.
Pannerselvam gave away awards to exporters involved in leather business in recognition of their performance in the business. He also released the fair directory of the leather fair, fact and figures book of CLE for 2019 and CLE member directory. Tamilnadu Minister for Industries M C Sampath, Tamilnadu Environment Minister K C Karuppanan and Chairman of CLE also spoke. Southern region chairman of CLE Isar Ahmed proposed vote of thanks.