Kolkata leathergoods fair opens
The 14th Kolkata Leathergoods Fair opened on February 23 and has attracted approximately 40 exhibitors.
Products on show include handbags, wallets, portfolios, belts and accessories. Visitors from Spain, Bangladesh, Singapore and Netherlands are expected to visit the fair, which runs until February 24.
According to West Bengal finance minister, Asim Dasgupta, who opened the fair, domestic leathergoods markets need to be developed as well as overseas markets. Although Indian leathergoods exports have increased in recent years, Mr Dasgupta said that the economic crisis has had an extremely negative impact on the sector. Satyabrata Mukherjee, president of the Indian Leather Products Association, added that leather exports have fallen 40% in the last few months and that further declines are anticipated.
