This year marks the 25th edition of the show and was officially opened on January 31 by Dayanidhi Maran, Indian minister of textiles. The show covers three halls and two portable hangers at the Chennai Trade Centre and most exhibitors were very happy with the visitor numbers on the first day of the show.
‘India has become such important market for us that we started manuafcturing leather chemicals here directly in 2009’, Ramon Segura, Europe sales and marketing manager – leather for chemical makers, Pulcra. India is fast becoming the biggest market for leather and leather products after China and exports were worth US$3.6 billion for 2008/09.
Although the IILF retains a strong Indian flavour the international presence is growing and a number of international exhibitors were present, either directly or through their locals agents or representatives. The IILF is now one of the most important shows in the tanning industry.
Following the first day of the show, invited guests were treated to an evening fashion show at the Taj Coromandal hotel in downtown Chennai. Fashions featured Indian made leather footwear, garments and leathergoods.
