The 17th International Shoes and Leather Exhibition opened yesterday in HCM City. — Photo vtv

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — The 17th International Shoes and Leather Exhibition opened yesterday in HCM City, offering the local leather industry a chance to compare notes and explore business opportunities.

It is on simultaneously with two other exhibitions – the International Footwear and Leather Products Exhibition and Viet Nam International Exhibition on Garment Manufacturing Equipment and Fabric – at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in District 7.

They have attracted more than 300 companies from 25 countries and territories including Argentina, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, and Turkey besides host Viet Nam.

Among of them is the US's Dow Elastomers, the world's leading producer of polyolefin elastomers. The company is showcasing Infuse Olefin Block Copolymers, a specialty material used in the midsoles of athletic shoes.

For decades the market for athletic shoe midsoles was dominated by ethylene vinyl acetate, but the new material can drop into existing foam processes with minor adjustments, eliminating the need to retool or alter the production process.

On display are a wide range of chemicals, machinery, technologies, and accessories used in the footwear and garment industries and in other products.

Nguyen Duc Thuan, chairman of the Viet Nam Leather and Footwear Association (Lefaso), said the event is aimed at enhancing export promotion soliciting investment and promoting the image of the country's leather and footwear industry.

It also seeks to enable local companies to acquire modern technologies to raise its game, he said.

Last year leather and footwear exports fetched the country US$12 billion, and the figure is expected to be $14-$15 billion this year, he said.

The exhibitions will go on until July 17 and are expected to receive more than 10,000 visitors. — VNS