Large pavilion of Thai leather companies to participate at Al Hida'a 2003

'For instance, UAE is the fourth largest importer of Thailand's leather footwear, with imports valued at US $ 21.5 million in 2000, while Kuwait is placed seventh largest, with imports valued at US $ 1.6 million in 2000. Similarly, UAE is the sixth largest importer of Thai leather handbags, importing handbags worth US $ 1.4 million in 2000,' he pointed out.

Given this receptiveness and potential of the UAE and GCC market for Thai leather products, Thai companies have been increasingly focussing on this region. A case in point is the coming tenth edition of Al Hida'a, to be held from 27 to 30 September 2003 at Expo Centre Sharjah, where a pavilion of 14 companies will be participating under the umbrella of the Thai Leather Goods Association.

Al Hida'a is in fact, the Middle East's only dedicated leather event, which has served year-on-year as an effective platform for international companies to launch themselves in the Middle East region. Besides Thailand, the exhibition will also see companies participating from Bangladesh, Iran, India, Korea, Pakistan, Turkey and UAE.

Al Hida'a features the entire range of footwear, finished leather products, tanned leather products, tanned leather, components and accessories. The show profile includes shoes, boots, slippers, sandals, wallets, briefcases, travel-ware, garments, gloves, shoe uppers, footwear components, shoe making components & materials, metal accessories for leather goods & shoes, part processed & finished leather, miscellaneous leather products, pvc coated synthetic leather, ladies bags, portfolio bags and pouches.

The exhibition will be open for trade, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm everyday from 27 to 30 September, 2003.

Thailand's leather industry, according to Mr.Yingkiat Liu., President of the Thai Leather Goods Association has come of age, setting itself among the major players in this sector. This has been done in the face of fierce competition from high-end manufacturers based in Europe and low-cost manufacturers in China, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Thailand's leather industry draws support from the extensive leather tanning sector present in the country. The country has a large production of a variety of products including luggage, shoes and boots, gloves, toys, pet accessories, handbags, apparel, belts and purses. Tanneries in Thailand boast an annual production capacity of approximately 15,000 tons of leather, largely produced from cowhide and buffalo. Importing hides for processing is common, with over 50% coming from China and premium quality hides shipped from America for processing.

There are three main categories which constitute the leather goods export industry in Thailand. Leather footwear accounts for 50% of the total export of leather goods, consisting primarily of brand name sports shoes produced for leading international companies with their production base in Thailand. General leather goods, such as handbags, folders, wallets, and premium leather gifts make up 27% of total leather exports, and tanned leather used to produce furniture, office equipment and in automotive interiors constitute the remaining portion of total exports.

The export of travel goods from Thailand has increased steadily over the past four years. The total level of exports climbed from US $392.6 million in 1997 to US $481.4 million in 2000.