The China (Shiling) Leather Products Fair opens on Friday in Shiling Township, Huadu district of Guangzhou. Export of the leather products in the township will reach $1 billion. [Photo by Qiu Quanlin/chinadaily.com.cn]

The export of leather products from the Huadu district of Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, is expected to grow by 13 percent year-on-year to reach more than $1 billion this year.

Lin Zhongjian, district head of Huadu, said on Friday that the growing number of leather products in the global market was due to a positive transformation of the industry.

"A growing number of leather manufacturers have become active in e-commerce and more companies have attached importance to brand promotion and product research," Lin said.

More than 70 percent of leather products made in the Shiling township of Huadu, dubbed China's leather capital, are shipped overseas.

"We will give priority to supporting the development of a number of leading players and encouraging them to be listed in the near future," said Lin, speaking at the opening of the 13th China (Shiling) Leather Products Fair.

Local companies will launch their latest products and a series of events on e-commerce will be held during the five-day event.

The China (Shiling) Leather Products Fair opens on Friday in Shiling Township, Huadu district of Guangzhou. Export of the leather products in the township will reach $1 billion. [Photo by Qiu Quanlin/chinadaily.com.cn]