Around 550 exhibitors will participate at this year’s All China Leather Exhibition, (September 18-20), of whom 40% will be from China, the organisers CMP Asia have advised.

Giving the event a boost is the continuing buoyancy of the Chinese leather sector, which increased its exports 2.5% during the period January – May 2002 to US$4.77 billion. And though most Chinese exhibitors will be raw material and component suppliers, there will nevertheless be around 50 footwear and shoemaking machinery exhibitors from Rui An of Zhejiang Province and from Shenzhen.

Fifteen national and regional pavilions from Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australasia have already signed up, APLF says. Mexico has doubled its space while Korea has taken 20 per cent more than previously. CICB (Brazilian Tanners Association) from Brazil, APIC (Portuguese Tanners Association) from Portugal plus companies from India and Austria will all be represented for the first time.

SATRA Technology Centre from the UK is holding a seminar and there will also be additional economic forum. Annual activities will include the presentation of the Genuine Leather Mark cup, the National Leather and Sneaker Design Contest, plus award-winning product displays and fashion shows. editorial