REPORT ON 1ST ILPA BUYER SELLER SUMMIT 2019, HELD ON 28TH & 29TH JANUARY AT HOTEL ITC SONAR, KOLKATA, INDIA
The 1st edition of the ILPA Buyer Seller Summit 2019 was successfully organized at Hotel ITC Sonar, Kolkata on 28th & 29th January 2019 from 10am to 6pm. ILPA BSS 2019 was actively supported by Council for Leather Export (CLE) TUV SUD South East Asia.
The event was inaugurated by Shri Alapan Bandyopadhyay, Additional Chief Secretary, MSME&T was followed by a fashion walk displaying leather bags and wallets. Mr. Ramesh Juneja – Eastern Region Chairman Council for Leather Exports, Mr Damiano Frankovigh – Counsel General Italy in Kolkata were present to grace the occasion, Mr. Adhar Sahni, President ILPA, Mr. Amitabh Singh, Chairman , ILPA Fair & Events and other captains of Leather industries , exhibitors, delegates, senior government officials and media persons were present at the inaugural ceremony.
Profile of the Exhibitors:
ILPA Buyer Seller Summit (ILPA BSS) is a B2B event with the aim to promote Kolkata Leather goods clusters as the most competitive hubs for premium quality Leather Goods production and exports of leather goods to the whole world.
The B2B event was scheduled with the aim to provide a platform for the business promotion and to attract the domestic and foreign buyers to Kolkata hub.
35 leading exporter manufacturer from the industry showcased their outstanding styles and high-quality products in the two days summit, taking up three floors at Hotel ITC Sonar. Each exhibitor were provided with a separate room to display their products.
PRODUCTS on Display:
The profile of exhibits of ILPA BSS comprised of Ladies Hand Bags & Purses, Luggage & Holdalls, Briefcases, spectacle cases, desktop items, jewellery boxes, watch cases, Men’s Bags, Wallets, Portfolio, Laptop bags, IPad covers, Belts, Leather Jackets, Hand Painted Leather bags & Wallets All other small leather goods & Accessories.
Visitor Profile:
ILPA BSS trade desk invited domestic and overseas buyers under local hospitality services. Hotel stay for maximum three nights in the same venue, Lunch for the visitors during the two days affair and networking dinner on the day of Inauguration were extended to the invited buyers from ILPA BSS. A total number of around 15 international buyers visited the ILPA BSS 2019. About 8-10 Buying houses and domestic visitors from all over India visited the summit too.
According to the Participants’ report enquiries were received from business visitors from countries of New York, Hong kong, Netherlands , Australia, South Africa, Sweden, Singapore, Thailand, Czech Republic, France , USA who visited the summit. Some of the visitors went for participant factory visit after the initial meetings.
Feedback from The Buyers & Exhibitor:
90% of the exhibitors have given their satisfactory feedback for the 1st ILPA Buyer Seller Summit and evinced interest for repeat participation in the next edition. Most participants were comfortable with the fair dates and venue while few have suggested some changes and upgradation for the betterment of the summit.
Participants were of the view that the visitor profile could be better and further publicity is needed globally to attract more established world class brands for the next edition of the Summit.
Visitors were happy with the overall arrangements of the summit and the hospitality extended towards them. They appreciated the special fashion walk by some of the participants and the networking dinner very much and showed their interest to visit the summit next year also. Some visitors have suggested for alternative dates and information to be circulated beforehand.
Conclusion:
It is pertinent to mention that Kolkata is the hub of leather goods manufacturing units of the country. It derives its strength from the strong and viable economic base of this leather industry which produces world–class leather goods and finished leather.
ILPA BSS is an initiative which attracts overseas buyers to visit this meet to source their products and requirements on a regular basis. It is seen from the participants feedback that generation of trade enquires by business entities, covering countries from Europe to South Africa to South-East Asia and USA indicates its popularity and awareness among discerning buyers internationally .
The events assume special significance for leather industry of West Bengal as the Govt. is putting efforts to provide ideal platform for investment and promotion for these labour intensive industries .The buyers visiting the fair expressed satisfaction . Both, buyers and some exhibitors of ILPA BSS 2019 ,as per the feedback, were of the opinion that participation from leather goods sector should be increased and comprise of companies from regions besides Kolkata also.
It is felt that the sector has much scope and potential in this region which could be tapped with advance strategic planning and intensive mobilization to enhance participation . It is felt that ILPA needs to have a strong and supportive industry association to enhance the scale of participation of the 2nd edition of this reverse Buyer Seller Meet in India, Kolkata.
As we strive to make West Bengal one of the world’s most favored leather hub as well as investment destinations, the ILPA BSS is a very relevant B2B event to enhance its capacity and capabilities.