The China Leather Industry Association (CLIA) is stepping up efforts to raise the profile of China's burgeoning leather sector. The country is one of the largest producers of leather goods, but is often associated with low cost and hence, low quality. The CLIA wants to encourage the industry to focus more on quality, branding and profits.

The leather industry now employs more than 2 million workers in China, with about 16,000 companies producing 2.2 billion pairs of leather shoes and 62 million leather garments.

Vice-chairman of the CLIA, Madame Zhang Shuhua, said that companies should concentrate on branding to increase profit. There are a few names already in the shops, such as Aokang, Senda and Fuguiniao, but they aren't yet famous world-wide.  Madame Zhang Shuhua said, "the domestic leather manufacturers should attach great importance to fashionable designs and advanced technologies even though it might lead to less output,".

The CLIA sponsors an international leather fair which will be held in Shanghai this year on September 27-29.