The China Leather Industries Association (CLIA) has reported that the value of the sector's exports (including footwear) for the month of July fell by 10% compared to July 2008.
In the overall context of collapse in world trade since September 2008, a fall of 10% is almost comforting. When seen in terms of the total value of industry exports for the first seven months of 2009, the total export decline was just 7.5% compared to last year.
Total exports for the first seven months of 2009 still managed to reach US$22.1 billion.
In addition, the CLIA pointed out that the pace of year-on-year decline is now slowing, having reduced by 0.8% from the previous month.
Export for semi-finished leather recorded substantial growth, CLIA said.
After the successful conclusion of the All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE) on September 4th in Shanghai and the continuing six month rally in the world’s stock markets, there would appear to be more cheer in news coming out of the world economy than at any time this year.
