Positive prospects for Chinese leather sector
According to vice secretary general of the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA), Chen Zhanguang, there will be good opportunities for development within the Chinese leather industry over the next 20 years.
He is urging those connected with the sector to take full advantage of recently introduced government incentives and to implement environmental and energy-saving methods. He also emphasises the importance of technical innovation and encourages leather manufacturers to update technology and equipment where possible. Furthermore, he believes it will be important for companies to form bonds with international brands as well as domestic brands in order to work on design and on research.
“In view of long-term development, the leather industry will tend to eco-leather,” says Li Weijuan, president of the Zhejiang Leather Industry Association. She believes the industry should be cautious about increasing production and moving into other industrial sectors during the economic downturn.
Sichuan University professor Li Zhiqiang believes this could be a turning point for the country’s leather sector and that the industry should be prepared to invest money and increase output, particularly for high-tech and high-added-value products. He also fells pollution reductions and recycling of resources are key to the industry’s future.
