Over 50 top Indian leather sector exporters have received awards from the Council for Leather Exports (CLE), for achieving the best export performance in 2004-2005 (April-March). The Indian Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran handed out the awards at 21st Indian International Leather Fair (IILF) in Chennai this week.

The awards were given to companies whose exports ranged from between $1 million to $15 million and above.

The Gold award for the highest export achievement was won by Mirza International Ltd of Kanpur and the silver award by Tata International Ltd, Mumbai.

Several companies also received awards in recognition for brand promotion and of achieving ISO Certification, etc.

India exported leather and leather products worth about $2.38 billion in 2004-05.