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Al Kindi inaugurating the exhibition

70 exhibitors take part in top leather expo in Dubai

DUBAI, April 27, 2016

A total of 70 exhibitors from 16 countries are participating at the ongoing Leatherworld Middle East 2016, the region’s leading tradeshow dedicated to the leather industry, being held in Dubai, UAE.

The event which kicked off yesterday (April 26), will conclude on April 28, and is being held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

International and local tanneries, designers, suppliers, and leather manufacturers are sharing insights on the Middle East and North African (Mena) leather market at the event, said a statement.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Butti Saeed Al Kindi, second vice chairman of Dubai World Trade Centre, it said.

According to analysts Euromonitor International (EMI), Mena leather trade was valued at $4.6 billion in 2015, including the import and export of raw hides, skins, furs, and leather articles such as saddlery and harnesses, travel goods, handbags, wallets, apparel, and accessories, it added.

The GCC holds a 67 per cent share of that figure, with $3.1 billion worth of exports and imports last year, spearheaded by the UAE ($1.2 billion of imports and exports), and Saudi Arabia ($497 million), said the statement.

Saudi is also a leather manufacturing hub, with a production turnover of tanning and dressed leather (clothes, footwear, and accessories) valued at $346 million in 2015 according to EMI, and growing nearly eight per cent over the next four years to be worth $373 million by 2019, it stated.

The retail value for the UAE’s luxury leather goods market, including wallets, bags, purses, handbags and accessories, grew 14 per cent year-on-year, valuing $413 million, with this expected to nearly double in size by 2020, when the market will be worth $800 million.

That will be welcomed by global and local players alike at the event, as they look to make a mark with their latest wares, from exotic hides such as alligator, snake, and stingray skins, to finished leather goods including footwear, handbags, and belts.

Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of Leatherworld Middle East, said: “We’re delighted to bring the global leather industry together under one roof at the event, with exhibitors coming from all over the world – from Italy, Spain and Germany, to Turkey, Thailand, Iran, South Africa, and even as far away as Trinidad and Tobago and Colombia.”

“Many are new to the regional market and eager to test the waters, while some have been around for many years and are keen to grow their business interests, not only in the Middle East, but further afield,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service




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