Government Sets Ambitious Export Growth Target for Leather and Footwear Sector

Union Minister Piyush Goyal urged the leather and footwear industry to target USD 15 billion in exports within five to six years, a threefold jump from the current USD 4-4.5 billion. Speaking at the Council for Leather Exports National Export Excellence Awards in New Delhi, he cited FTAs as opening access to 38 developed countries, with the UK FTA effective as of 15 July. He noted 77 per cent of exports go to just 15 countries and called for diversification. The sector employs over 40 lakh people, which Goyal said could rise to one crore with a focus on quality, branding and scale.