The China Leather Industry Association (CLIA) has reported that the first phase of the international footwear trade centre being built in Wuhou, Chengdu, will be completed on April 30.

According to official statistics released by the Sichuan government, a population of around 100,000 people are currently employed within Wuhou’s footwear industry and the production value of leather shoes exceeded Yuan5 billion ($623 million) in 2005.

Although more than 80% of shoe production in the province is based at Wuhou, there is no adequate, established platform for shoe exports, which prompted the government to construct an international footwear trade centre last year.

The first section of the centre involved investment of Yuan 50 million ($6.23 million) whilst the second area will be completed in October, through investment of Yuan 150 million ($18.7 million).

CLIA believes more shoes made in Chengdu will be exported with help of the trade centre. Chengdu shoes are already exported to Russia, Southeast Asia, the USA and Europe and a number of shoe-making companies that participated at GDS in Düsseldorf, Germany, have also received other international orders.