Now Reading: Minister urges footwear makers to raise exports through innovation
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Minister urges footwear makers to raise exports through innovation
Minister urges footwear makers to raise exports through innovation
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…
The Story in Brief
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.
The Indian Opinion
Claims that India’s large production base automatically makes it a footwear export leader overlook the gap between output and overseas sales. Equally, presenting the PLI Scheme as a quick fix ignores the need for design, technology, reliable quality and stronger buyer access. The useful measure now is not the fair’s attendance or ministerial assurances, but whether India’s global export share moves from about 2 per cent towards the proposed 10 per cent.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
