The Hindu Business Line : International leather goods fair begins today

EXPORT THRUST: Ms Martha, a designer of leather goods from Italy, at a press conference of the 12th International Leather Goods Fair in Kolkata on Thursday. Also seen are (from left) the President of Indian Leather Product Association, Mr Tapan Nandi; the Executive Director, Indian Trade Promotion Organisation, Mr Rajiv Yadav; and the Chairman (Eastern Region), Council for Leather Exports, Mr A.K. Chatterjee. - A. Roy Chowdhury

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Kolkata Feb. 22 A portion of the Leather Goods Park being built in 60 acres and housed within the Calcutta Leather Complex (CLC) is expected to be completed by end 2007. Once open, it is expected to boost production of leather goods in Eastern India.

Nationally, leather goods export in 2006-07 is projected to yield around $2.6 billion, and the Council for Leather Exports' (CLE) target is $7 billion by 2011. Eastern India's share of this was around 15 per cent, accounting for exports of around Rs 2,000 crore. Kolkata is acknowledged as the hub of leather goods manufacturing and exports in India.

Briefing newspersons here on Thursday on the highlights of the 12th International Leather Goods Fair (ILGF), Kolkata — organised jointly by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), Council for Leather Exports (CLE) and Indian Leather Products Association (ILPA) — Mr Anup K. Chatterjee, Regional Chairman of CLE, said a West Bengal Leather Goods and Footwear Park, in an area of 230 acres, has been proposed by CLE and ILPA, with support from IL&FS. He said a SPV for taking the project forward was being formed.

Mr Chatterjee said the idea was to locate the facility in an area not too far away from CLC for operational convenience. The Park will have 25 acres set aside for the tiny sector. Investment estimates are yet to be finalised as scouting for a suitable site was on.

Participants

On the three-day leather goods fair, beginning February 23 at the Netaji Indoor Stadium, Mr Chatterjee said over 50 buyers from overseas are expected to participate, besides foreign machinery manufacturers from China like Camoga Machinery Manufacturing Nanjing Ltd and EPM Italia Machines from Italy.

Describing the fair as the only annual international event in city, Mr Tapan Nandi, President, ILPA, said it will showcase quality leather goods like handbags, gloves, garments, brief cases, belts, sports goods, footwear components, footwear, leather processing machinery and industrial leather goods.

He said a major participant in the fair this year was the 60-year ARS Arpel Group S.R.L, an Italian company specialising in training and designing of both leather goods and footwear, through their well-known Arpel and ARS Sutoria schools.

On the IntechMart, Mr Chatterjee said both CLE and Shreya (the Design Studio located inside CLC) would coordinate the one-to-one meetings between foreign businessmen and their Indian counterparts for possible joint ventures, technical collaborations and imports-exports.

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