The Indian leather industry has tremendous potential for sustainable growth and employment generation. Considering this, the Government of India had recognized the leather sector as a Focus Sector under the prestigious Make in India programme announced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.

The Indian Leather Development Programme (ILDP) which was implemented in the X, XI and XII Five Year Plans, had played a significant role in areas like technological upgradation, environment management and human resources development in the leather and footwear sectors.

The Union Cabinet has recently approved the ‘Indian Footwear, Leather & Accessories Development Programme (IFLADP) as per the special package announced by Government of India for Leather & Footwear Sector for 2017-2020, with an outlay of Rs.2600 crore .  This package contains a significant outlay of Rs.696 crore for Human Resources Development (HRD) Scheme, which proposes to provide financial assistance for placement linked skill development training to unemployed persons and also for skill up-gradation of existing workforce in shop floors and training of trainers.  This will be a major boon to the leather and footwear industry, which I hope will help in substantially enhancing our productivity and price competitiveness in the coming years. My best wishes to you in 2018!