The local shoe-making industry has contributed significantly to the country's economy, churning out a staggering RM1 bilion in sales last year, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said.

She said the figure included Malaysia's RM621 million footwear exports to the international market such as Brazil, the United Kingdom, Mexico and the Asean countries as well as RM300 million in the domestic market.

"It shows that we have succeeded in developing the footwear industry and will continue to make Malaysia as Asia's leading shoe manufacturer, the next step forward into the world stage," she told reporters after launching the Malaysia International Shoe Festival 2013 Thursday.

In addition to improving the entrepreneurs' income and producing many locally-designeed shoes, Dr Ng said this year's festival, the fourth edition, was expected to place Malaysia as a centre for high fashion in the global fashion arena as well as the "Shoe Capital of Asia," she added.

Dr Ng said the footwear manufacturing industry in Malaysia was a century-old industry and ranked 19th worldwide in terms of shoe exports, with Ipoh as the main footwear production centre for the country.

The highlight of the shoe festival is an exhibition by Datuk Jimmy Choo entitiled "Mahkota Capsule Couture Collection" which pays tribute to the use of local ethnic fabrics such as Pua Kumbu, Pua Sungkit, Dastar, Tekat and Songket.

Earlier, the minister witnessed the "Biggest Sculpture Made By Shoelaces" making an entry into the Malaysia Book of Records as the largest sculpture made from shoelaces.

A three-metre high shoe-shaped sculpture made from 40,000 pieces of shoelaces was showcased at the festival. It took about a month to complete.

The sculpture depicts Malaysia's rich ulture and tourism features, with a tree on the top of the shoe, signifying the country's robust shoe-making industry.

The public can visit the festival from tomorrow till Sunday.

The ministry is targeting RM8 million sales from the festival. Some 150 shoe designers, including from Brazil, Italy and Thailand and proprietors of local show-making companies, are showcasing their products at the festival being held at the Putra World Trade Centre.