NEW DELHI, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government is formulating a strategy for greater coordination with all the states as well as the trade associations for global promotion of India's footwear industry, Commerce and Industry Suresh Prabhu said on Thursday.
Speaking at the "Fourth India International Footwear Fair 2018" in New Delhi, the minister stated that the Indian footwear industry had a huge potential for export and employment generation. He claimed that India will soon become a global hub for manufacturing of footwear to cater to the growing demand for Indian footwear globally.
To realize this objective, said the minister, India announced a special package last year of 2,600 crore Indian Rupees (around 391 million U.S. dollars) for employment generation in leather and footwear sectors.
The package comprises of implementation of central scheme - "Indian footwear, leather and accessories development program."
The minister said the Indian government was making efforts to boost the country's leather and footwear trade to new markets in African countries. This will help India to become a part of global supply chain, he said, adding that the government will extend all possible support to the footwear industry.
The footwear fair is being organized by the India Trade Promotion Organization in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Footwear Industries, and support of the Council for Leather Exports, the Central Leather Research Institute and the Indian Footwear Components of Manufacturers Association.
