India’s CLE targets $2.2b leather exports - 9.7 

The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) has set a target of $2.2 billion for leather and leather goods exports for the fiscal year 2003-04, representing a 10 per cent rise over the previous year.

India broke through the $2 billion mark in the export of leather and leather goods in the last fiscal year ended 31 March 2004. Its footwear segment is expected to show a 25 per cent growth in the current fiscal year, according to CLE Chairman S. S. Kumar. India's leather exports to Europe and the US, which imports the bulk of its production, is set for a major boost with the country's products being taken up by well known chain stores.

As part of its efforts to promote Indian leather and leather goods in newer markets such as CIS countries, CLE is also organising various delegation visits. Its initiatives include the ''Think leather, think India'' campaign, building ‘the brand India' and increasing its world market share from 2.7-4 per cent. CLE has implied several consultants to promote Indian leather goods abroad. It is also trying to make use of the market access initiative (MAI) and the market development initiative (MDI) promoted by the Commerce Ministry.

 Mr Kumar urged the Central Government to waive the excise duty in the shoe component sector and for waiver of the 10-year limit on machinery imports to generate growth in the sector. He also emphasised the importance of proper training of people for production of quality goods and said the leather technology institute under CLE has obtained funds from the European Union to help this program.

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