Ipoh, a growing shoe hub for Malaysia

04 May '10

2 min read

Just like Italy's fashion capital Milan, Ipoh can be transformed into a fashion hub for Malaysia.

According to Mentri Besar Datuk Seri, Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, over 60 percent of the country's shoe production comes from Kinta Valley in Ipoh, and there lies great prospective for the fashion industry to thrive.

He said that, Ipoh could be established as a fashion capital by means of a shoe design academy, fashion academy, modelling school, textile manufacturing and anything connected with fashion, thus adding onto the state's economic development.

As shoes are considered to be a fashion statement, players from the footwear industry can assist to convert Ipoh in to a town, producing superior quality shoes, he added.

Dr Zambry, during his speech at the 97th anniversary celebration of the Perak Footwear Industry Association (PFIA) said that, the state is aware of the footwear industry's contribution in strengthening the Perak economy. Moreover, there has been an incredible rise in the footwear consumption, which has in turn increased the potential and probabilities for players of the footwear industry.

Also, based on the success of the International Shoe Festival in Kuala Lumpur, it is now apparent that Malaysia is on its way to establish itself as the new shoe destination. As of now, the industry's annual turnover amounted to RM 1billion.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk - India

More General News - Malaysia...