Leatherworld Middle East 2017 to host global exhibitors

Global interest in the Middle East and Africa’s (MEA) leather industry is gaining momentum as international tanneries, designers, suppliers and manufacturers are looking to boost business prospects at the region's dedicated leather trade show. It will feature over 50 exhibitors from 18 countries and will include national pavilions from France, South Africa, Indonesia and Egypt.

The three-day event, organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, is the region's only dedicated trade show spanning the leather industry’s entire value chain, from semi-finished and finished animal hides, chemicals, and machinery to finished leather goods, including footwear, clothing, bags, wallets, and accessories.

The fair's highlights include the Trend Area, an exclusive showcase of exotic leather innovations seen for the first time and Fashion Avenue, where the UAE’s most talented designers at ESMOD Dubai will present their creative flair with an inspiring array of leather garments, bags and shoes. Other features include Leather Production for tanneries and dealers of semi-finished and finished animal hides, and the Shoe Box, a dedicated section for mid to high-end leather footwear.

According to analysts Euromonitor International (EMI), the MEA’s production turnover of tanned and dressed leather was worth $4.08 billion in 2016, and estimated to rise to $4.22 billion by 2020. The retail value of luxury leather goods across the region is also solid. EMI estimates that spending on luxury leather bags, travel goods, and men's and women's small leather items, was worth $1.46 billion in 2016, with this rising to $1.84 billion in 2020.

Much of the region's leather industry revolves around the Gulf countries of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. According to EMI, tanned and dressed leather production in Saudi was worth $367 million in 2016, while UAE consumers spent $473.9 million in 2016 on luxury leather goods, with this set to rise to $586.7 million in 2020.

“Leatherworld Middle East is the embodiment of luxury and exclusivity, and this is evident the moment one walks through the entrance into an array of exotic animal hides, high-end consumer goods or finely tuned machinery. Our vision is to be an incubator of new innovations and to present a knowledge-sharing platform that will be the focal point of the region’s leather industry," said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East.

Leatherworld is supported by the French Hides Association, the French Federation of Tanners, South African Footwear and Leather Export Council, the Indonesian Footwear Association, and the Egypt Expo and Convention Authority. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India