Egmore, Chennai, Hosted by India Council for Leather Exports, The Indian Consulate and NML International Inc, twenty-three of the country premier leather apparel and accessory manufacturers will showcase their products on January 18th and 19th at Know Leather/ India Now, a two-day industry networking event and tradeshow to be held at The Westin New York in Times Square.

Despite the economy, categories in leather have remained strong, and India is at the top of the industry as a source for tanneries and production.

Know Leather/India Now Source Show will serve as a platform for wholesalers, buyers and importers to meet manufacturers and exporters face-to-face while experiencing the quality and value of India most luxurious leather goods.

Habbib Hussain, Chairman, Council for Leather Exports, India asserts: "In 2009, the USA accounted for nearly 10% of India 3.6 billion dollar leather export business, and the numbers are growing steadily. We anticipate the show to be a major step forward toward tapping our full potential in collaborations with US importers and buyers."

"As a leather importer for more than 20 years, this is a great opportunity for the industry", says Jaggi Singh, President of NML International. "We are extremely pleased to have India top leather manufacturers join us here in New York. With the country rich resources, top-tier technology, superior quality standards and industrious work ethic, we are confident that India emergent leather trade business will continue to increase at a rapid rate."

Many of the most recognizable brands and fashion houses in the world, from mass to luxury, currently tap India to source leather goods, apparel and accessories. With its abundance of natural resources, India has a production capacity of more than 2 billion square feet of leather and state-of-the-art, environmentally-compliant manufacturing facilities.

Show and registration info: www.sourceleather.com

The Westin New York

Gershwin Ballroom -4th floor

270 West 43rd Street

Show Hours:

January 18 + 19, 2010

9:00 AM -6:00 PM

Cocktail reception: January 18 - 6:00-8:00 PM

Know Leather/ India Now Source Show Stats:

India is emerging as viable resource in the global economy. The country leather industry has witnessed robust growth; transforming from a raw material supplier to a value-added product exporter.

It is the second largest exporter of leather garments to the world with more than 16 million pieces produced annually, second only to China.

India is the second largest manufacturer of footwear in the US, with production of 2,065 million pairs per year.

India export of leather garments reached $426 million during 2008-2009.

11.84% of the country total exports are from leather.

India Leather and leather products exports are estimated to reach $7 billion U.S. by 2013-2014.

Brands and retailers that currently source in India include Zara, Wal-Mart, Coach, Liz Claiborne, Paul Smith, Tommy Hilfiger, Kenneth Cole, Donna Karan, Nautica, YSL.

Source: http://www.leatherindia.org/garments_2008_09.asp

Established in 1984, The Council for Leather Exports, (CLE), an export promotion organization, functioning under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, is the apex body of the rapidly growing Indian Leather Industry and is entrusted with export promotion activities and development of the Indian leather industry.