Organisers from IEC Group Pty Ltd said the participation of export councils is important to trade visitors looking for reputable organisations with a track record in quality and reliability.

"Group participation, particularly by export councils, provides an invaluable contact point for broader reach beyond participation at the event itself. Pavilions dedicated to a region or industry represent both suppliers and their industry more broadly, providing our visitors with an invaluable resource for doing business with a region or industry sector," Julie Holt, global exhibitions director, IEC Group Pty Ltd said.

India continues to bring the largest and broadest participation of any region to the event, a unique position it has held since the show’s inception in 2010. Total participation by India across the two events will be approximately 140 companies.

Led by key export organisations including substantial involvement from Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), as well as Apparel Export Promotion Council, Handloom Export Promotion Council and Jute Product Development Export Promotion Council, the strong presence supports India’s continued focus on the Australian market.

Council for Leather Exports India (CLE) will lead the industry contingent at Footwear and Leather Show Australia with 30 suppliers joining their pavilion, the largest pavilion at the Footwear and Leather Show for the fourth consecutive year.

The South African Footwear and Leather Export Council will return to the event after successful showings in 2018 and 2017. Their attendance at the Footwear and Leather Show Australia aims to support the growth of exports of South African manufactured leather footwear, handbags, belts and other associated products. This year they will be joined by several apparel manufacturers and designers.   

The Jute Product Development and Export Promotion Council (JPDEPC) will attend the show for the first time with approximately ten companies aiming to explore the Australasian region and its potential. With increasing local demand for more sustainable fibres, jute is seen as a reliable and viable option and its popularity is expected to keep growing.

The largest ever participation by Turkey will be a welcome addition, and organisers from IEC Group Pty Ltd said that they are confident that the show will benefit from offering more diversity to Australian fashion and footwear buyers. Given Turkey’s reputation as being in the top 10 footwear producers around the globe, Holt said that visitors will undoubtedly be interested in forming connections with the suppliers from the region. 

TCF Council of Fiji will represent the world-class textile, clothing and footwear industry in the South Pacific, while Taiwan Textile Federation will host a pavilion of more than ten leading suppliers from their country’s competitive textile industry. Vietnam Leather and Footwear Association is also expected to attract a lot of interest from footwear buyers. 

With registration numbers up 10 per cent at last year’s International Sourcing Expo Australia and co-located Footwear & Leather Show Australia and China Clothing & Textiles and Accessories Expo, more than 4000 trade visitors are again expected to descend upon the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre next month.

In 2018 the expo attracted more than 720 manufacturers and agents from 19 countries – China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, United States, Fiji, Australia, Turkey, South Africa, Taiwan, Nepal, Serbia, Italy, and Thailand. The 2019 edition of the event is expected to attract even wider participation

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (PC)