The Indian Council for Leather Exports (CLE) has appointed Mario Pucci as a consultant for the India Leather Desk in Milan to facilitate foreign direct investments and joint ventures in India and to promote the export of Indian leather products to Italy.

Mr. Pucci, a former International Relations Manager of the Italian Machinery Manufacturers’ Association (ASSOMAC), has extensive contacts in the Italian leather industry, and wide experience of working with the Indian leather sector and the CLE hopes that, with his assistance, Indo-Italian business relations in the Leather sector can be improved.

During IILF 2006, presenting his paper on "Italy: Customer, Partner, Supplier", Mr Pucci said, "Italy, is a good customer of Indian leather products. It has rich experience in the leather industry and has the potential to be a very good partner for industrial collaboration, as well as a good supplier.

He also announced that India would be the `focus country' at the next edition of Expo Riva Schuh (June 10-13), one of the premier trade exhibitions for shoes in Europe.

He further added that Unac, the Italian National Association of Footwear Components, and CLE plans to hold a meeting in Marche Region, the footwear component cluster of Italy, to highlight the opportunities for joint ventures and foreign direct investment in India. The Italian Association of Leather Goods Manufacturers (Aimpes) also plans to take a delegation of Italian manufacturers to the leather goods fair in Kolkata in February next year.

He stated that there is considerable scope for enhancing the volume of leather exports to Italy and emphasised the need to increase commercial and industrial relationships and to improve India’s image.

In an attempt to further boost collaboration, the CLE will also organise an investment Promotion Programme road show in Italy on March 17-19.