At the event, fashion designers, leather manufacturers, importers and buyers from Japan, India, Korea, China, Taiwan, the Middle East, and Europe will also come to share ideas, buy, sell and network. Nuntawan said that more than 1,500 traders are expected, while 40,000 visitors are expected on retail days. Nauvarat Songswaddi-chai, president of the Thai Leather Goods Association, said leather export are expected to grow by 15 per cent this year fromUS$1.6 billion (Bt50.8 billion) last year.