You are all aware that exports from the Indian leather industry registered a declining trend for two and half years starting from the financial year 2015-16. However, as per provisional data available, overall exports from leather industry have shown a growth of 1.79% in dollar terms during April 2017 to February 2018.  This is a very good sign which reflects the revival of exports. This turnaround in exports from the leather industry has given us the confidence that we will be able to achieve high export growth levels in the coming years.

Considering the intense competition in the global market, aggressive marketing campaign is required to consolidate and expand our market share. Keeping this in view, CLE has proposed to organize 13 marketing events during 2018-19. The programmes proposed include Buyer Seller Meet in USA, Reverse Buyer Seller Meet in India, continuation of participation in Mos Shoes Fair in Russia etc., The circulars for individual events will be sent to member exporters. These programmes will be organized with financial support from Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India under Market Access Initiative Scheme (MAIS).

One of the focus areas under India Footwear, Leather and Accessories Development Programme (IFLADP) notified recently for leather industry is creation of Mega Leather,  Footwear and Accessories Development Clusters (MLFAC). The leather industry is very keen to develop MLFACs so as to not only enhance production by creating new production centres  but also to generate employment opportunities to the youth belonging to economically weaker sections.

I hope that aggressive marketing campaign combined with development of infrastructure, skill development , productivity and production capacity will help a lot in achieving double digit growth levels in exports and also in tapping the huge potential available in the domestic market.