The leather professionals are getting ready for the International Leather Days (ILD) which will be held in 2004 for the 13rd time and which is considered by the world leather authorities one of the greatest leather garment fair of Eurasia. ILD which became "one of the greatest event among the world''s leather fairs" with its 37.240 visitors from 55 countries in 2003 will once again host the leather world in 2004.

ILD which has been held traditionally for years and which has, parallel to the development of the Turkish leather industry, become the Turkish leather products'' and trademarks'' portal to the international markets, becomes more and more prominent among fairs observed carefully by the leather world. After a successful 2003 fair, national and international media has made statements such as "With this fair, Turkiye has carried its strength in the leather world to its peak", "Turkiye''s International Leather Fair" and "Istanbul is focused on fashion and young designers".

The leather industry which has carried its strength to its peak with the 2003 International Leather Days will now once again improve this strength with the 2004 fair. Turkiye, which has become a country chosen by world markets due to its production power, quality and affordable price advantage, will introduce this potential to foreign buyers in the ILD which will be held in the Tüyap Beylikdüzü Fair Centre between 8 -10 January 2004.

ILD , which was a fair where leather and sub -industry products from A to Z were displayed, has gradually started to put weight on ready made leather garments, fashion and finished products and is now considered one of the world''s greatest leather garment fair. With its fashion activities it carries out parallel to the process in which Turkish companies are becoming trademarks, ILD carries the Turkish leather fashion to world''s fashion platforms. It is emphasised that Istanbul is the leather fashion centre, through fashion activities such as Leather''IST and the Leather Products Design Competition (deri''signer) in which the most famous Turkish companies and brands participate.

The companies will display their 2004-2005 collections in the Leather''IST fashion show which will be carried out under the scope of the 13th ILD Fair activities. The Leather Products Design Competition "5th deri''signer", which has supplied the Turkish leather sector with creators and which has contributed greatly to the creation of the Turkish leather image, will choose its new creators.

ILD has grown:
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The demand for ILD, which has begun entering a rapid growth trend since 2000 through the boost both in the business potential and in the numbers of participants and visitors, is increasing. With an increase of 25,6 percent, the number of participants of ILD 2004 has reached 159 as of June 25th. Compared to the numbers of the preceding year, the area used by the fair has increased at a rate of 41 percent.