# Minister urges footwear makers to raise exports through innovation 2026-08-07T07:46:44+00:00 | Business & Economy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh has urged India’s footwear industry to use government initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive Scheme to improve innovation, manufacturing and export competitiveness. Speaking at the India International Footwear Fair 2026, he called for stronger technology partnerships, better design and quality manufacturing, with particular scope in non-leather footwear. The three-day fair, organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation, brings together manufacturers, exporters, buyers and technology providers. ITPO chairman Jawed Ashraf said the industry employs nearly 4.5 million people and accounts for 12 to 13 per cent of global production. Yet India’s share of global footwear exports is about 2 per cent. He called for this to reach 10 per cent through joint action by the government, industry and ITPO. ## Coverage - thehindubusinessline.com Tags: exports, footwear, manufacturing, PLI scheme, textiles Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/minister-urges-footwear-makers-to-raise-exports-through-innovation/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/minister-urges-footwear-makers-to-raise-exports-through-innovation/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.