Over 200 stalls at 5th Footwear and Leather Fair 2013 exhibition
Dharma Sri ABEYRATNE
President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the 5th Footwear and Leather Fair
2013 exhibition at the BMICH, Colombo yesterday. The footwear and
leather fair exhibition is organised
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa who presented awards to winners of
the design competition at 5th Footwear and Leather Fair 2013
exhibition at the BMICH, Colombo yesterday visiting one of the
exhibition stalls. Picture by Cahandana Perera |
annually with the objectives of
giving recognition to the industry locally and internationally,
identifying the most creative and skilled SME manufactures to be
developed as potential exports, building partnerships between SMEs and
large scale manufacturers and creating an awareness of the opportunities
available for industrialists in the international market.
In line with the exhibition, a design campaign has been organised to
identify and encourage young and upcoming designers by giving them due
recognition.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa presented awards to the winners of the
design competition held under four categories, special, hand bag, gents
shoe and ladies show categories on the occasion.
The President also visited exhibition stalls and encouraged
manufacturers, entrepreneurs and service providers engaged in the
industry. The fair consists 217 trade stall this year displaying
footwear, leather products,travel goods, raw materials, footwear
manufacturing machinery and other related services. Apart from the local
manufacturers and service providers, a significant number of foreign raw
material suppliers and service providers,especially from India and
Pakistan are also participating in the fair. Besides, buyers from
Poland, South Africa, Jordan, Iraq and Bangladesh are also attending the
fair.
The Footwear and leather fair exhibition is organised by the Export
Development Board (EDB) in association with the Ministry of Industry and
Commerce, Industrial Development Board (IDB) and Sri Lanka Footwear and
Leather products Manufacturers Association.
Around 20,000 people are engaged in the footwear industry at present.
According to statistics, 10 large scale and 30 medium scale
manufacturers are functioning in the country. In addition, 3,000 small
scale manufacturers are also engaged in the industry.
Industry and Commerce Minister Rizad Badudeen expects a US $ 20
billion turn over from the footwear and leather industry by 2020. |
