I am very pleased to announce you the successful conclusion of the recent India International Leather Fair – IILF 2007 at Chennai which hosted over 10000 trade visitors and buyers, 394 participants including 138 companies from 21 countries besides industry delegates, academicians and media from around the world. This year’s IILF was also the biggest edition so far in its history - covering 25% more area (7322 sq meters compared to last year’s 5700 sq metres) and 20% more number of participants compared to IILF 2006 and all previous editions besides featuring numerous interactive seminars, buyer seller meets and launch of special publications.

On behalf of the council, I thank all members and the following organizations namely Central Leather Research Institute, Indian Shoe Federation, Indian Footwear Leather Manufacturers & Exporters Association, Footwear Design & Development Institute, Indian Finished Leather Manufacturers Association and other organizations for making IILF 2007 a grand success.

Visit of MODEUROP Officials to India

The council was also very happy to welcome top MODEUROP delegates who visited India as part of the IILF 2007. These senior dignitaries including Mr. Ralph Hanus, President, MODEUROP and Managing Director, SABU Kornwestheim, Germany; Mr. Phillippe F Urban, Chairman, Federation of the German Footwear Industry, Mr. Jakob Jehli, President Swiss Leather Fashion Committee - Schweizer Ledermoderat; Ms. Nadine L’Allemand: Mg. Partner, Professional Media GmbH, Publisher of reputed leather magazines SHOEZ and PRO LEDER, Ms. Marga Indra Heide, renowned Fashion Expert and other officials participated in the official MODEUROP roundtable conference in Chennai besides numerous interaction sessions and seminars with members of the Indian leather Industry.

Investment Promotion Programmes (Road Shows) in Romania, Brazil, France & United Kingdom

With the rapid onset of changes & developments across the global leather market, it is imperative that the Indian leather industry accelerate critical financial and technological investments into the industry both from domestic as well as international sources. These investments could also be in the form of technical collaborations or joint venture alliances with foreign companies which would immensely benefit the industry.

Towards these crucial goals, the Council has been keenly organizing Investment Promotion Programmes (Road Shows) in select countries abroad to create awareness on the investment opportunities and potential available in the Indian leather industry.

In this regard during March 2007, the Council will be organizing professional Road Shows in Romania (March 5) followed by Road Show in France (March 23) & in United Kingdom (March 26). The Council will actively promote India as the ideal investment destination apart from organizing one-to-one business meetings between Indian and Foreign companies during these Road Shows.

Forthcoming Buyer Seller Meets in Europe

The Scandinavian region especially is a potential market for leather products, which has hitherto not been adequately explored by Indian exporters. Hence, In addition to the Road shows, CLE will also be organizing Buyer Seller Meets (BSMs) in select Scandinavian & other European countries between March 27 and April 5, 2007 to promote the Indian Leather Industry.

The Council will be organizing Buyer Seller Meets at Helsinki, Finland (March 27 & 28,2007) ; Copenhagen, Denmark (March 29 & 30,2007); Brussels, Belgium (April 2 & 3, 2007) and at Stockholm, Sweden (April 4 & 5, 2007). I am pleased to confirm the participation of 20 members who have evinced interest in these BSMs.

Hence, I call upon all CLE members to fully utilize these ideal opportunities and participate in both the road shows and the BSMs organised by the council to enhance our market share at these regions.

CLE Fair Participation in Expo Riva Schuh, Italy & Interview First Show, Germany

The Council recently participated in two important international trade fairs namely the Expo Riva Schuh fair held between Jan 13-16, 2007 at Garda, Italy and the Interview First Show held between 26 – 28 Jan 2007 at Offenbach, Germany. The Expo Riva Schuh fair was of significance since India featured 78 exhibitors with 39 companies participating under the CLE banner.

Export Growth

As per the latest DGCI & S notification, our exports during the first seven months of the current year 2006-07, i.e. April-October 2006 stood at US$1660.57 million against the previous year’s performance of US$1587.96 million registering a growth of 4.57% in dollar terms. In rupee terms, the export touched Rs.76146.93 million against the previous years performance of Rs.69577.13 million showing a growth of 9.44%.

During this period, export of Footwear has also increased from US$ 569.06 million in April-October 2005 to US$ 652.97 million in April-October 2006, registering a growth of 15%.