India: $8.5b leather exports target "achievable"
India’s leather export target of $8.5 billion over the next three years is achievable, according to Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia, minister of state for commerce and industry.
Mr Scindia made the statement at a leather summit organised by the Council for Leather Exports (CLE), held in New Delhi from April 20–21, 2011.
“The target which has been set for the leather sector will be achievable,” said Mr Scindia. “It will be crossing $3.75 billion this year, which means doubling of exports over the three or four years.”
He added that there is tremendous potential for growth in leather sector in areas such as leather accessories and leathergoods, besides the footwear sector, which has touched exports of $1.6 billion of the total market of leather exports.
He also suggested that the leather export target could go beyond the expectations and touch $9.5 billion, if the stakeholders work collaboratively for achieving such robust growth.
Speaking at the event, CLE chairman Rafeeque Ahmed said that although the industry is back on track, growth is slow. He said the industry faced shortages of raw materials and skilled manpower in the country and urged the government to take immediate measures to fight these challenges.
