Report by Mr. Ali Ahmed Khan, Executive Director – CLE

 
 

Hong Kong and China are important countries for India as trading partner in finished leather. Leather is the major item of India’s export to Hong Kong and China. About 96% of India’s export to Hong Kong and about 93% to China comprise of leather during 2007-08. However, India’s export of leather accounts for only 7.41% in total imports of leather by Hong Kong, and only close to 1% in the case of China. India’s export of leather products is very insignificant. Overall, India has a very miniscule share of 2.65% in the overall import of Hong Kong and less than 1% in the case of China. There are opportunities and potential to further increase the business collaborations and also strive for more joint venture collaborations for mutual benefit, to derive the advantages each country has.

Asia Pacific Leather Fair (APLF), Hong Kong has become an important global event for the leather industry. APLF comprised of three concurrent Events i.e. Fashion Access, Materials Manufacturing & Technology (MM&T) and Prime Source Forum. The APLF Fair showcases various leather products like Finished Leather, Chemicals & Dyes, Manufacture and process equipment of components, Footwear, Fashion Leather Garments, Leather Goods, and Fashion Accessories etc. The APLF is the largest Trade Fair wherein all the major global leather players meet in one roof to discuss and formulate appropriate marketing strategies to sustain and enhance business prospects. The APLF has 25 years experience dedicated to supporting the industry. This is the 25th year of the Fair.

Fashion Access 2009

This is the most international exhibition in Asia for bags, footwear, leather garments, travel-ware, leather goods, belts, gloves and lifestyle accessories of every description. With over 700 exhibitors from 35 countries there really is ‘something for everyone’. The theme for this event is ‘Let’s Go Fall Winter 2009/10’. There were more exhibitors and special trend areas available to help entrepreneurs decide what will be ‘in fashion’ during this season. It reflected the increasingly important role of fashion across all sectors of Fashion Access. As the most international fashion trade fair in Asia, Fashion Access is the perfect place for sourcing fashion products and, of course, judging trends in the retail marketplace.

MM&T 2009 – MM&T

MM&T 2009 – MM&T is the most important market place for sourcing quality leathers, related fashion materials and components capturing product trends and exchanging marketing information. There were 1087 exhibiting companies from 55 countries and regions. Together with 26 Group Pavilions and 85 companies exhibiting for the time first-time, MM&T showcased full spectrum of leather making products and technological innovation.

Prime Source Forum

The Prime Source Forum is the meeting place for all involved in the sourcing, manufacturing and delivery of apparel. Prime Source Forum is held in Hong Kong once a year, bringing together senior management from across the globe to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing manufacturers, suppliers and retailers involved in the production and sale of garments/textiles. This international event also offers ample opportunity for delegates to network with their peers, mingle with the expert panelists and exchange ideas with their peers and competitors alike on issues of mutual interest. There were series of workshops on different subjects such as sustainability, technology applications, sourcing, ever-changing retailing scene, product safety etc.

These important Event held alongside MM&T worked together to provide the most extensive and comprehensive networking opportunity for all players in the Leather, Fashion Accessories and Apparel industry.

Considering the importance of APLF to the leather industry in India and convergence of large number of entrepreneurs and other stakeholders not only from Hong Kong and China but also from various overseas countries in the APLF, the Council has organized a Road Show in the APLF which took place during March 31-April 2, 2009. The Road Show was organized as per the Annual Action Plan 2008-09 of the Council under Mission Mode scheme of the Indian Leather Development Programme (ILDP). The Road Show was in the form of participating in the various events held alongside APLF, and interacting with exhibiting companies and also trade associations of various countries in the APLF. A Presentation-cum-Interaction Seminar was also organized as part of the Road Show on April 2, 2009.

As per the suggestion of the Consulate General of India, Hong Kong, the Council has engaged a marketing agency Chamber Services Limited, Hong Kong. This agency has taken all necessary event promotional activities and invited the Hong Kong and Chinese companies, Leather Associations and key representatives from the Hong Kong and Chinese leather industry to the Road Show – Presentation-cum-Interaction Seminar.

The Indian delegation comprised of Mr. Ali Ahmed Khan, Executive Director, Council for Leather Exports and Mr. Babu Lal, Deputy Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. The Indian delegation attended the Press Conference of APLF held on 31st March 2009 and also attended various associated events held alongside the APLF. The delegation interacted with the exhibiting companies, association representatives and other stakeholders during the APLF.

Presentation-cum-Interaction Session: April 2, 2009

A Presentation-cum-Interaction Seminar was held on April 2, 2009 at 11.00am in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The objective of this seminar was to present the Indian leather industry in right perspective, focusing on the many strengths and opportunities India provides to the overseas entrepreneurs. Amongst others, the Seminar was attended by Mr. Su Chao Ying, General Secretary, China Leather Industry Association and Mr. Wong King Hang, president, Hong Kong Hide & Leather Traders Association. The Consul General of India, Hong Kong Mr. L D Ralte attended the seminar.

Mr. L D Ralte, Consul General of India delivered a welcome speech to the audience. Mr. Ali Ahmed Khan, Executive Director, Council for Leather Exports made a presentation on the Indian leather industry, more particularly opportunities available to the overseas companies to collaborate with Indian enterprises in several forms such as business, joint venture, technical tie-ups etc. The Government of India’s policies towards overseas entrepreneurs were also explained in the seminar.

Mr. Su Chao Ying, General Secretary, China Leather Industry Association brought to the audience the development of leather industry in China. He explained the role of China Leather Industry Association which was established in 1998, and today comprised of 1300 members. CLIA covers sectors of fur and leather making, footwear, leather garment, handbag, leather products and chemicals as well as related institutions, research institutes and colleges. As the role of a bridge and a tie between the government and enterprises, CLIA accomplishes the work entrusted by the government, implement the government’s policies and decrees, as well as promote the development of the leather industry. He further informed that CLIA being an important national organization, also involved in variety of works on many aspects, such as outlining the industry program, standard examination, and making survey in leather sector, supporting leather markets establishment, name brand popularization, markets expansion, organizing leather exhibitions, encourage progress of science and technology, personal training, information supplying, environmental protection and carrying out cooperation and exchange with overseas industries and so on.

Mr. Wong King Hang, President, the Hong Kong Hide & Leather Traders’ Association elaborated the role played by Hong Kong in making a suitable platform for the leather trade between India and China.

A few members of the Council participated in the seminar and displayed their product samples. They are: Naaz Exports Pvt Ltd (Kanpur), P&G Enterprises Pvt Ltd (New Delhi), Jarosniv Exports Pvt Ltd (Delhi), Siddharth Exports (Noida) and Overseas Leather Goods Company Pvt. Ltd (Kolkata).

There were 40 participants from the Hong Kong and China in the seminar. The Council distributed the information brochures and other publications, CDs etc to the participants of the seminar. On the occasion of the Road Show, the Council issued a Press Release to the Journalists, newspapers and other print media.

Road Show provided an excellent opportunity to the Indian Delegation to interact with cross section of the stakeholders from various countries in the APLF, and helped to create an awareness of the growth and opportunity potential of the Indian leather industry in Hong Kong and China. The Hong Kong and Chinese companies were motivated to take advantage of the conducive investment climate prevailing in Indian market, and enter into strategic alliances with the Indian companies in the leather and leather products sectors.