A stall exhibiting products made from crocodile skin. — VNS photo Xuan Huong

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — The 16th International Shoes and Leather Exhibition opened yesterday in HCM City, offering industry professionals the opportunity to have exchanges with their peers and look for business opportunities.

It is on simultaneously with two other exhibitions, the 17th International Footwear and Leather Products Exhibition and Viet Nam International Exhibition on Garment Manufacturing Equipment and Fabric.

They have attracted more than 150 local and international companies from 18 countries and territories – including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, India, mainland China, and Taiwan – an increase of 20 per cent compared to last year, Tran Vi Co, manager of Top Repute Co., Ltd, one of the organisers, said.

On display are a wide range of materials and accessories for the footwear and garment industries, chemicals, machines, and technologies used in tanning and manufacture of footwear and garments.

Nguyen Duc Thuan, chairman of the Viet Nam Leather and Footwear Association (Lefaso), said the event seeks to "promote the development of raw materials and components for the leather and footwear and garment industries."

It is also aimed at soliciting local and foreign investment in the supporting industries to help increase local content in shoe and garment production, thus meeting the requirements set by trade agreements like the TPP that the country is negotiating, he said.— VNS