'Much potential in leather industry'

By Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

The footwear and leather industry in Sri Lanka has been identified as a value added manufacturing sector that has taken up the role of generating export revenue and employment opportunities.

“It is necessary to strengthen and sustain the image of the footwear and leather industry as it has the potential to become a vital component in the export revenue basket," said Sri Lanka Export Development Board Chairman Bandula Egodage at the launch of the Footwear and Leather Fair 2015 at the BMICH on Friday.

This is the seventh edition of the fair.

"The abilities of the industry need to be showcased to attract buyers, local and international, to generate more revenue. Technological advancement could be made use of to take the industry to the next level,” he said.

“As two key aspects of exports are value addition and market diversification, we need to make the footwear and leather industry a thrust industry to generate export income.

The industry has generated US $ 100 million in exports last year, a 100 percent growth compared to the previous year and with more capital infusion, the industry could reach a higher level,” Egodage said. The Fair which concludes today has 225 stalls with 114 local and 11 foreign participants. Among the foreign countries represented are India, Pakistan and Nepal.

The Fair has been organised by the Export Development Board with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Industrial Development Board, Sri Lanka Footwear and the Leather Products Manufacturers Association.

The footwear industry employs about 40,000 people at various levels providing direct and indirect job opportunities. The sector is largely represented by 10 large export companies, 30 medium scale companies and over 3,000 small scale manufacturers.

A diverse range of modern shoes such as canvas and rubber boots, thongs, sports shoes and leather shoes are produced using different types of raw materials.

Sri Lankan footwear exporters have already established themselves as suppliers of fashion footwear to well known international brands such as Mark and Spencer, Bata France, H.H. Browns, Clarks, Aerosols and Nike.

In the leather industry, apart from manufacturing processed leather, small leather goods such as gloves, wallets, bags, purses, belts, key tags are also produced. There are about five large scale manufacturers and exporters with 1,000 small timers.

There are around 11 tanneries producing 25 tons of leather per day. The local leather product manufacturers also cater to famous international brands such as Play Boy, Helen Kaminski and Laurel.