No.07/MRU/ USA Programme/2009                                                             September 7, 2009

To
All Members of the Council

 Dear Member,

Sub: Buyer-Seller Meet in New York, USA – December 2, 3 & 4, 2009
 (Leather Garments, Leather Goods/Accessories)

As you are kindly aware, the USA is the world’s largest market for leather products, accounting for 20.25% share in the global import trade of US$ 127.73 billion in 2007. On the other hand, the USA is one of the major markets for India Indian leather & leather products, accounting for a share of 9% in India’s total leather products export of US$ 3.5 billion.

Taking into consideration the nature of US market, its import potential as a major volume market and the basic criteria to meet volume requirements, there is scope to further increase India’s export. Accordingly, the Council has been undertaking special and focus programmes in the US market since 2002.

This has resulted in increase of exports from India to USA in the last five years from US$ 251.58 million in 2003-04 to US$ 306.70 million in 2007-08, growing at a CAGR of 5.07%. It is also worthwhile to note that Indian Industry is currently supplying to major brands of USA, besides supplying to retail giants like Wal-Mart etc.

Since India’s share in the USA’s import of leather products is less than 2%, there is vast potential to further tap the US market, considering India’s inherent strength of raw material, availability of skilled force and institutional support towards HRD, Design Development etc.

In this connection, we would like to state the following:

1. Considering the general feedback received from our Members and taking into account the budgetary constraints, we have decided to organize ONLY ONE BUYER-SELLER MEET IN THE USA.

2. Accordingly, the Buyer-Seller Meet will be organized in New York during December 2, 3 & 4, 2009 alongside the The York Shoe Expo, organized by Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY). 

3. The Programme Components for the Three Day Buyer-Seller Meet in New York will be as under:

1. December 2, 2009 – One-to-One Business Meetings in a prominent Location with the US Importers of Leather Products viz. Footwear, Leather Garments and Leather Goods/Accessories 
2. December 3, 2009 – Visits to important Department Stores dealing in leather products, combined with meetings with the owners of the Department Stores and Malls etc 
3. December 4, 2009 – Visit to The New York Shoe Export (FFANY Fair) and other follow-up meetings.

The Buyer-Seller Meet in New York will be organised by the Council in association with the Consulate General of India, New York.

Since the Buyer-Seller Meet programme is funded under MAI assistance of Govt of India, taking into consideration the actual expenditure and level of MAI assistance, we have made a re-assesment on the budget estimates and accordingly, the commitment fee towards participation by individual companies has been reduced to Rs.1.00 lakh only.

Members interested to join the Buyer-Seller Meet in New York during December 2, 3 & 4, may please confirm their participation along with the Commitment Fee and Application Form, enclosed herewith as an attachment.

With regards,
Yours sincerely,
Ali Ahmed Khan
Executive Director

 

Circular/Application