Vietnam's exports of leather and footwear rose in the first quarter of 2012

In the first three months of the current fiscal year, Vietnam’s leather and footwear export revenues may reach US$2 billion, a year-on-year increase of 21.7%. This sales figure is consistent with the annual sales target of $7.3 billion.

Vice President and Secretary-General of Vietnam Leather and Footwear Association (Lefaso) Nguyen Nguyen made the above statement at a seminar jointly organized by the Vietnam Leather and Footwear Federation and the Vietnam Leather and Footwear Research Institute.

The seminar focused on launching a campaign to persuade creative local designers to participate in the 4th International Leather Design Competition 2012 Asian Regional Competition. The competition was organized by the Asian Leather Shoes Association and other regional industrial associations and will be held in China from May 30 to June 1, 2012. The purpose of this competition is to discover creative professional design talents and improve the design and production capabilities of Asian countries.

This competition will provide a platform for several entrepreneurs and designers to show their designs and styles.

Vietnam's leather and footwear industry strives to encourage companies and designers, especially young people, to produce advanced designs so that footwear manufacturers can directly fulfill orders without requiring subcontracting, added Mr. Shih.

Most footwear manufacturers in Vietnam rely heavily on imported raw materials, equipment and accessories, and designs and require subcontracting or outsourcing orders to overseas partners in Korea, Hong Kong, and other countries.

The active participation of local designers can bring great benefits to the footwear industry in Vietnam. The footwear industry in Vietnam still faces a shortage of technical personnel and experts.