Event organiser CMP Asia has confirmed the All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE), will take place as planned at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), Pudong Shanghai, on September 3-5 2003.

The announcement follows the lifting by the Shanghai government of its self-imposed restriction on holding conferences and exhibitions in the city and confirmation by the Forbes Global organisation that its CEO conference will take place, as scheduled, on September 16 – 18.

The ‘return to normality’ is borne out by Chinese leather industry trade figures, CMP Asia says.  During the period January – April 2003, imports reached US$1.29 billion, up 24.1% over the same period in 2002 while exports reached US$4.56 billion, up 25.2%.  Imports of raw hides and skins meanwhile increased by 29.9% and imports of semi and finished leather by 23.2%.

However, it should be borne in mind that these figures refer largely to the period before SARS hit the headlines, at the end of March.  Figures from the Chinese Leather Industry Association for April-May show exports of leather goods being down 50% in April and 41.3% in May.

Bookings for ACLE 2003 have held firm and continue to be well up on ACLE 2002, despite the SARS crisis, CMP Asia says. Group pavilions include Australia, Brazil, Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Korea, Pakistan, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand and USA. Two groups will  increase the size of their pavilions: Korea (Korean Tanners Association) and the USA (US Hide Skin and Leather Association).

Major chemical producers which have confirmed their participation include ALPA, Atlas Refinery, BASF, Bayer China, Clariant, Luigi Stoppani Spa, Quingdao TFL, JinWoong, Samsung, Sisecam Chemicals Group, Stahl Asia, Shanghai Pielcolor.  Leading tanners that have confirmed their presence include Hollander Hyams Ltd, Pittards Plc, International Splits, Conceria R G C Snc, Karim Leathers, Bertin Ltda, Breeze Concept Leather, Edward Wong & Co Ltd, Hillspark Ltd.

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