Organisers of the All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE), the China International Footwear Fair (CIFF) and Moda Shanghai, which ran from September 7-9 2005 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in Pudong, have hailed the events a success. 

A total of 857 exhibitors were present at ACLE and 231 for CIFF and Moda Shanghai combined, an increase of 182 exhibiting companies from 2004, bringing the fairs’ combined total participants to 1088. Exhibitors came from 36 different countries and regions.  Ninety companies were first-time exhibitors and six countries and regions were represented for the first time. ACLE held 19 group pavilions, and CIFF held three, with a 20% increase in floor space.

Ms. Perrine Ardouin, senior event manager of Asia Pacific Leather Fair Ltd, which organises the events along with the China Leather Industry Association, said: "It was a pleasure to welcome new exhibiting countries such as Belgium, Indonesia and Iran. Equally pleasing was the growth in support from our long-established exhibitors such as Italy, which increased its representation from 50 companies to 80. Industry leaders such as France, Spain, Turkey, and India were among other countries whose representation increased by between 20 - 50%."

A total of 14,382 buyers visited the fairs. Of these, 11,323 came from mainland China, 589 from Hong Kong and Macau, and 341 from Taiwan. Overseas visitors totaled 2,129. 

Malcolm Drew, general manager of Castricum Brothers Export Pty Ltd in Australia, said:  "ACLE offered us an opportunity to expand our market share and we received a total of US$500,000 worth of orders this time.”