NEW DELHI, 27 November 2021: The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Piyush Goyal has said that India’s leather industry should aspire to be No.1 in the world.

Addressing the National Export Excellence Awards presentation ceremony of the Council for Leather Exports (CLE), Piyush Goyal said we are already the second-largest leather industry in the world.

“I do feel very, very satisfied that you are aspiring to grow to at least USD 10 billion by 2025, though this still gives you only a growth rate of about 15-17%. Whereas looking at the potential of all of you,… I think we can look at even more ambitious targets,” Goyal said, adding that the Kolhapuri Chappals alone can achieve USD 1 billion exports target.

Goyal appealed to the leather industry to be self-sufficient, ‘AatmaNirbhar’, and not wait for the Government to roll out schemes, give land (at subsidised rates), come out with a PLI. “All of these things, in my humble view, will hold back your progress.”

He assured Government will help the leather industry achieve the goals by setting up BIS Standards laboratories in close proximity to leather clusters.

“Your industry has been at the forefront of innovation, high-quality products, design, good recognition in export, world markets,” said Goyal.

Goyal said India’s leather industry has “competitive and comparative advantages” when compared to the rest of the world and aim to make the ‘Made in India’ brand the hallmark of excellence.

“I think a lot of high-quality produce does get made in India but is sold to the high mark-ups across the world through the branding exercises of some of these companies.”

Addressing the gathering, the Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Anupriya Patel assured the Leather Industry of Government support in their innovation endeavours.

On this occasion, the Ministers gave away the National Exports Award for the years 2019-20 and 2020-21.