Delhi: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has called on India’s leather and footwear industry to aim for at least USD 15 billion in exports over the next five to six years. Addressing industry leaders in New Delhi, he urged manufacturers to leverage Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), expand into new markets and strengthen product quality to drive the sector’s next phase of growth.

Speaking at the Leather Exports National Export Excellence Awards 2024-25, Goyal said India’s leather exports, currently valued at around USD 4.4-5 billion, have the potential to grow more than threefold. He encouraged exporters to think ambitiously and capitalize on the opportunities created by India’s expanding network of trade agreements.

The minister highlighted that FTAs with multiple countries are opening new avenues for Indian manufacturers. He said the India-UK Free Trade Agreement is set to come into force on 15 July, while the legal review of the India-EU FTA is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. These agreements, he noted, would significantly improve market access for Indian leather and footwear products.

Goyal urged exporters to reduce their dependence on a limited number of developed markets and explore emerging opportunities across Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Gulf region. He also encouraged businesses to participate more actively in international exhibitions, overseas trade delegations and branding initiatives to strengthen India’s global presence.

The minister stressed that future competitiveness would depend on improvements in design, packaging, branding, quality certification and sustainability. He called for wider adoption of modern manufacturing technologies, including automation, robotics and artificial intelligence, to improve productivity and product quality while creating greater value for international buyers.

Highlighting employment potential, Goyal said the leather and footwear industry currently supports more than 40 lakh people and has the capacity to expand employment to one crore. He also proposed stronger collaboration between industry and institutions such as the National Institute of Design (NID), the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to strengthen design capabilities, packaging standards and product testing.

The minister further suggested that the leather development centres across the country should be managed more actively by industry stakeholders to improve skill development and operational efficiency. He said India’s leather sector possesses the craftsmanship, manufacturing expertise and scale needed to become a global leader, provided it continues to invest in innovation, sustainability and high-quality production.

Source: This article is based on an official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India
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