Chennai, Jan 31 (IANS) The 25th annual India International Leather Fair began here Sunday at Chennai Trade Centre with signs of export demand for leather products turning bright.

The four-day fair organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) has attracted 425 exhibitors of whom 172 are from abroad including China, France, Germany, Italy and Thailand.

According to Coucil for Leather Exports (CLE) chairman Habib Hussain, the times are bright as Indian factories are getting export orders from December onwards.

During the period April-November 2009, exports of leather and leather products stood at Rs.10,192 crore as against Rs.11,126 crore recorded during the corresponding period of the previous year.