The Middle East's prime leather event, Al Hida'a, inaugurated

The show is the leather industry's only exclusive, specialised event in the Middle East that brings the world leather industry together in Sharjah. Al Hida'a features finished leather goods including footwear, with a special section for leather technology and processes, hides, skins, leather, leather cloth, and machinery.

The exhibition was inaugurated by H.E. Sheikh Khaled bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chariman of Ports and Customs, in the presence of H. E. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the board members of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan, Deputy Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah, directors of various government departments, VIP's, diplomats and ambassadors of various countries, members of the diplomatic corps and trade associations, heads of the participating exhibitors and delegation of international and regional businessmen.

Speaking at the inauguration, H. E. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (who is also the Vice-Chairman of the Arab Union for Leather Industries) said: 'Al Hida'a is an important exhibition for the leather industry, as it reflects the two twin sectors of the leather industry at the same time - the industrial and the commercial.' Talking on the state of Arab world's leather industry, he stated that although the industry has been continually developing, using the latest advances in technology, there is still scope for further development and expansion. He further stressed that the Arab Union has been working hard to mobilise efforts from member countries to support this industry and encourage investments. He pointed out that the Arab world has the raw materials, the labour as well as the capital required to purchase technology, and that every measure must be initiated to exploit modern technology while at the same time ensure that the manufacturing processes are environment-friendly. And to encourage investments, he called for the formation of a committee to research the reasons and obstacles which have been hitherto been acting as a hindrance for new investments.

Speaking on the show, Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan said, ''The event provides a platform for international and regional manufacturers, traders and professionals from the leather industry to interact and widen the scope of their trade. The show will be serving all sectors of the industry, from producer to trader, tanner to manufacturer to the chemical suppliers. In a short span of four-days, the participants at the fair will have the possibility to meet old and new clients, exhibit their product, gather information on markets trends, make price comparisons and strike deals for their products.''

Specifically, Al Hida'a features footwear and finished leather goods including leather garments, handbags, luggage, belts, gloves, corporate gifts and accessories. Besides finished leather goods, there is a special section featuring leather processes and technology including leather, hides, skins, adhesives, shoe-making components and chemicals.

The show has brought together companies from Brazil, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Italy, Palestine, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan and United Arab Emirates who have on display their innovative products in the above categories.

The show has also generated a strong response from trade visitors in the MIddle East, who are scheduled to visit this show. Companies which have registered before-hand to visit the four day event hail from Bahrain, India, Iran, Pakistan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, and the UAE. However, the show will be attracting visitors from many more countries, as the majority of any show's visitors register at the time of their visit to the show, and not before-hand. Based on this, it can be safely said that the event is well poised to be a good opportunity for leather networking and forging new business alliances.

Brazil, which is internationally renowned as a supplier of high quality shoes, has a prominent representation at the show, through the participation of its key industry association from Brazil: 'APEMEBI'. This association represents a number of Brazil's leather companies who are keen to strike business alliances in the Middle East.

Apart from this, the show continues to enjoy a strong support from Indian leather companies, dealing in finished leather goods like footwear, bags etc. as well as leather and allied materials.