International Leather Days on the way up

International Leather Days (ILD), the Turkish fair that has suffered from the natural and economic problems of Türkiye, increased the number of participants at their fair, held from January 12-14. The tenth fair attracted 314 companies, up from 202 and the total exhibition area increased from 5,360 m² to 7,289 m². The growth of the fair can also be measured in terms of the increase in participating countries, which was up from 17 to 27. Countries participating included Argentina, Australia, Finland, South Africa and Turkmenistan. The international impact of ILD was also seen with a leather apparel trade mission coming from China. Invited by the foreign trade undersecretary and the Aegean Exporters Association, the mission's aim was to contact firms and search for better co-operation leading to trade agreements between Türkiye and China. To further enhance the Turkish leather sector, the organisers arranged a number of fashion shows, which were co-ordinated by the Turkish Leather Garments Producer's Association and the Turkish Leather Foundation. The organisers claimed that the resurgence of the fair suggested the crisis in the Turkish sector was at an end and that the future would show more stabilised markets. Turkiye is one of the leading countries for the export of garments. Garment production has increased from 9.7 million pieces in 1998, when the crisis began to 10.8 million in 2000. The leather garments production predicted for 2001 is around 11.5 million. However, the figures do not include the suitcase trade, most of which goes to Russia and the surrounding countries.