India’s leather and footwear exports are expected to cross Rs 44,800 crore in 2022-23 as demand from the US and new markets such as Middle East, Africa and Latin America will increase, says Sanjay Leekha, Chairman, Council of Leather Exports (CLE). The recent FTA between India and UAE would also push India’s exports besides creating new employment opportunities in the sector, he adds. During the fiscal April-January, India’s leather and leather products exports rose 33 per cent to $3.6 billion. They are expected to cross $6 billion in 2022-23, adds Leekha.

The leather and leather goods industry is upbeat about the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as it has acquired a healthy orderbook. Leekha believes, the industry can achieve a total turnover of $30 billion in the next five years including an export turnover of $10 billion. It will also create employment for 15 lakh more people, he adds.

The industry is also urging the government to extend the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) to the sector. It has been granted the extension of the Indian Footwear and Leather Development Program with an approved financial outlay of Rs 1,700 crore.