With vast production of leather goods and exports increasing every day, the Indian leather industry is booming. India being the second largest exporter of footwear industry in the world, the Leather Export Industry accounts for 20 percent of India’s total export.

In recent years, Indian economy has surged at a good pace. Talking about various contributors to its growth and expansion, the Indian leather industry has a distinguished contribution to it.

Moreover, few leading brands from developed countries like US & Europe either import, or look forward to obtaining the leather chemicals, pure leather and products made from it, from India.

Additionally, the leather industry in India is also one of the oldest, and currently employs approximately 2.5 million people. Among all leather products being manufactured in India, footwear manufacturing enjoys the authority among Indian Leather Products.

Though leather industries are situated in almost every Indian state, Tamil Nadu, the southern state of India provides almost 60% of India’s best leather. On the second and third position are Maharashtra and Delhi respectively, which are then followed by various NCR regions and other states.

GOING PLACES:

Major offshore markets for Indian leather products are UK, USA, Germany, Italy, France, Netherlands, Canada, Sweden and Russia, with Italy being the largest destinations of Indian leather exports.

India also imports state-of-the-art machinery and equipments from Italy for the leather industry. India’s Council for Leather Exports (CLE) has helped Italian footwear manufacturers set up export production bases in India through Joint Ventures with Indian exporters and manufacturers of footwear.

Thus, some of the best Italian leather shoes can be bought in India. Italian leather shoes have shown a class and elegance for decades and have created a huge market in India today.

Italy has several joint venture collaborations with India which has sustained Indo-Italian relationship and further helped in the development of the leather industry.

Italy is one of the chosen countries to organize road show programs to further help the leather footwear manufacturing in India, under the Mission Mode scheme of Indian Leather Development Program (ILDP).

The aim behind organizing this road show was primarily to promote the Indian Leather Industry, with highlights on strengthening ties between the Indian manufacturers and Italian industries. Italian footwear is much sought after globally, with various renowned brands in India exhibiting shoes of Italian make.

GLOBAL SUPPORT:

As United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO-SPX), a specialized agency in the United Nations, is promoting the Indian Leather Industry, particularly small and medium sized manufacturers to make a mark in the international market, leather products export, especially leather footwear, is increasing at a rapid pace.

The organization has also helped other international companies find skilled subcontractors, for manufacturing the best leather products, and create a niche in global market. SPX has set up associations like Footwear Association in Pune, Chennai, and NCR regions.

 APPLAUDED DOMESTICALLY:

The Indian Shoe Federation (ISF) is also working in collaboration with SPX and is continuously rendering its services to the footwear industry. ISF has encouraged footwear manufacturers and Indian Suppliers to follow practices that are transparent, innovative, reliable, fast and cost effective.

ISF is primarily responsible for promoting, assisting, strengthening and exploring global markets to help the Indian Suppliers and Footwear Exporters to export more and more leather goods in the international market.

The two agencies have targeted the footwear association in Pune, Chennai and NCR regions of Delhi, since these regions have the maximum potential to attract foreign buyers. Especially the Indian market has been conveyed the message dearly about India’s preparedness and efficiency to produce quality products accompanied with high fashion and latest designs that are equally cost effective.