UITIC Congress, interview with the chairman of CLIA, the event host
The 22nd UITIC International Technical Footwear Congress will be held in Shanghai, China during August 31st to September 3rd 2025.
Keep reading...Taking Italian technology abroad means becoming explorers again: it requires balance and strategy, but the results can be extraordinary. Assomac Around the World 2025′ has seen and sees the association engaged in targeted missions to expand the presence of Italian technologies for the tanning, leather goods and footwear sectors in the most promising world markets.
FIRST STAGE: India International Leather Fair in Chennai
The first stop on this ambitious journey was the India International Leather Fair (IILF) held in Chennai from 1 to 3 February. The event represented a strategic platform for Italian companies, ready to present innovations and cutting-edge technologies in a market, the Indian one, that is experiencing rapid expansion. In 2025, India’s GDP is expected to grow by 6.5%, with the leather goods industry aiming to reach €45 billion by 2030.
India, not only the world’s second largest producer of footwear and leather goods and the fifth largest exporter of leather goods, but also the third largest exporter of saddle goods, represents a crucial market for Italian exports. In fact, in the period January-October 2024, Italy consolidated its position as the second largest supplier of leather processing machinery, right after China, with exports amounting to €14.62 million (+42.15% over the previous year).
SECOND STAGE: Lineapelle Milan and APLF Hong Kong
In February, the journey continued in Italy with Lineapelle Milan, a must-attend event for companies eager to showcase technological innovations and craftsmanship skills to the global market. The Milan event was immediately followed by the APLF trade fair in Hong Kong from 12 to 14 March, thus consolidating Italy’s position in a strategic point connecting East and West.
THIRD STAGE: Mega Leather Show, Pakistan
The international tour then landed in Pakistan with participation in the Mega Leather Show, held from 11 to 13 April. Pakistan, with annual leather exports of $874 million, is the country’s second largest export sector after textiles. The country has a well-developed supply chain in leather garments, shoes and gloves.
With around 800 leather companies and 213 corporate members of the Leather Tanning Association, the leather industry accounts for 4% of the national GDP. Assomac’s participation in this fair offered strategic opportunities for Italian companies, opening up new possibilities for collaboration and contributing to the growth of a sector that is fundamental to Pakistan’s economy.
INNOVATION AND COMPETITIVENESS: CENTRAL OBJECTIVES
These first steps in 2025 confirm the effectiveness of the ‘Assomac Around the World’ programme in opening new trade routes and strengthening the international relations of the Italian leather industry. The strategy focuses decisively on real innovation, concrete collaboration and global competitiveness, demonstrating that for Made in Italy there are no insurmountable borders, only opportunities to be seized.
With these premises, the second half of the year promises to be just as dynamic and challenging. Because, as Assomac teaches, international success cannot be improvised: it is built step by step, journey by journey.
Starting with stops in Vietnam and Shanghai. Assomac Around the World will continue to support member companies in their international expansion in the second half of 2025. The programme includes two important trade fair stops: from 9 to 11 July the companies will be in Vietnam, in Ho Chi Minh City, to take part in Shoes and Leather. Afterwards, from 3 to 5 September, the initiative will move to Shanghai for the ACLE trade fair.
