Leather sector eyes 8-10% export growth in 2 years

New Delhi: Several steps are being taken to achieve 8-10 per cent growth in leather exports in the next two years, an industry body said, underlining the importance of the sector in earning foreign exchange.

Council for Leather Exports (CLE) is planning buyer-seller meets in different countries and participation in global trade fairs to achieve the target, its chairman P R Aqeel Ahmed said.

According to him, this labour intensive sector has huge potential to earn foreign exchange for the country and create jobs for youth.

"Currently, our exports are around $6 billion. I am targeting 8-10 per cent growth in the next two years and for this we have planned several steps. Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu has assured full support to achieve this target," Ahmed said.

He said as many as ten buyer-seller meets are planned in the US, Japan, Latin America, and Russia.

The council members will participate in all major leather trade fairs in counties such as Italy, Germany, Australia and the US.

The commerce minister has announced Rs 2,600 crore package for the leather sector to boost exports and the disbursal of the money would now start for upgrading infrastructure and other things, Ahmed said.

"These incentives would help us in attracting investments, push production and create new jobs," he said.

Ahmed said the council would also work in exploring new markets in Africa and Latin America.

"Peru and Chile hold huge export potential. We are taking our players there to meet businesses of these countries," the chairman said.