Mixed response at ILF
A delegation from the Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) recently visited Turkey to exhibit at the Istanbul Leather Fair (ILF) and to explore new markets for finished leather to be used in garments, shoe uppers and shoe linings.
Nine leading Pakistani exporters appeared at ILF, held December 4-6, and displayed high-quality cow and buffalo leather and sheep and goat skins. They reported a good deal of interest, particularly from Russian, Ukrainian, Portuguese, American, French, Iranian and Turkish buyers.
Despite this, Pakistani participants said that, in terms of export orders, the onsite response was disappointing compared with previous editions of the fair. This was attributed to the global financial downturn as well as the devaluation of the Turkish currency, which has fallen by around 30% in value.
