The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) India in partnership with the British Footwear Association (BFA) recently organised a two-day India Footwear & Leather Products Show in London to highlight the country’s expertise in the field.
India’s leather footwear and products boast annual exports exceeding £4 billion and the UK show has been conceived to promote Indian products highly sought after by global buyers. More than 40 exhibitors from India participated in the event.
The British Footwear Association said: “British industries recognise India as an essential source for leather products and footwear.”
The High Commission of India in London hosted a special curtain-raiser event ahead of the exhibition on October 19-20 to highlight India’s global standing as the second-largest producer of footwear and second-largest exporter of leather garments. Besides, Indian firms are also the third-largest exporter of saddlery and harness and fourth-largest exporter of leather goods.
Chairman of CLE Sanjay Leekha introduced the participants to recent achievements of the Indian leather sector. The potential of the leather, footwear and accessories sector in India was highlighted by various speakers, the Indian High Commission said.
This was followed by a detailed presentation on the Indian Footwear and Leather Industry by R. Selvam, Executive Director, CLE. Industry experts like Lucy Reece-Raybould, CEO of British Footwear Association, and Dr N. Mohan, CEO of Kothari Industrial Corporation Limited, also spoke about the investment trends and opportunities in the Indian footwear sector.
The curtain-raiser was also attended by the representatives from the BFA and prominent leather and footwear brands and entities including Dr Martens, Grenson, Global Footwear Solutions, UK Fashion and Textile Association, Wander Studio, Pip and Henry etc. The event concluded with an interactive session between the exhibitors and participants.
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The CLE, under India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is the single-largest and apex trade promotion organisation of the strong and rapidly growing Indian leather and leather products industry.
*Info: Council for Leather Exports
