According to the Indian Export Bulletin (IEB) exports of the country’s leather and leather products during 1999-2000 fell 4.76 per cent to US$1,576.12 million, as opposed to US$1,654.89 million in the previous fiscal year.

Quoting a Geneva-based study on India's smaller share in world exports compared to Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and China, IEB said, "Overall India is facing severe competition in the international markets from these countries, which are emerging as major manufacturing centres."

India's finished leather exports dropped 10 per cent to US$238.79 million in 1999-2000 compared to US$264.67 million, while exports of leather garments registered a dip of over 15 per cent to US$318.56 million in the year ended 2000, as opposed to US$376.66 million in the previous year, IEB said.

However, the study also noted that India was on course to achieve 95 per cent of finished leather export target of US$250 million for 1999-2000, by exporting US$238.79 million worth goods during the period.