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The signing of the India–European Union free trade agreement will be a major boost for the footwear and leather industry and open up new opportunities for exporters, a senior official of the Council for Leather Exports (CLE) said here on Saturday.

 

The European Union is the largest market for India’s footwear and leather sectors, accounting for 43 per cent of exports, CLE Executive Director R Selvam said. The Council for Leather Exports functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and is the apex trade promotion organisation for India’s leather and leather products sector.

 

“The India–EU free trade agreement, which provides for zero per cent import duty in the EU for the footwear and leather sector, will open up new opportunities for exporters and help achieve our envisaged export target of US $14 billion by 2030,” Selvam said.

 

Speaking to reporters, he said the agreement would enhance cooperation between India and the EU not only in sourcing but also in investments. India and the European Union on January 27 sealed a landmark free trade agreement, billed as the "mother of all deals", with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top EU leadership unveiling a broad agenda to strengthen trade and defence cooperation and promote a rules-based world order.

 

Appealing to the Centre to implement the Focus Product Scheme for the footwear and leather sector, Selvam said the scheme was crucial to achieving the industry’s targeted turnover of US $50 billion by 2029–30, including domestic turnover of US $36 billion and exports of US $14 billion.

 

The current turnover of the footwear and leather sector stands at US $24.6 billion, comprising domestic turnover of US $19 billion and exports of US $5.6 billion, he said. Selvam, along with CLE Chairman Ramesh Juneja and senior officials, was in the city to announce the 39th India International Leather Fair (IILF) 2026, scheduled to begin on February 1 at the Chennai Trade Centre.

 

Commenting on the event, Juneja said the India International Leather Fair had served as the largest platform, showcasing state-of-the-art technologies and innovations and had been a flagbearer of the Indian footwear and leather industry. The three-day fair will showcase the entire range of leather and footwear products, from raw materials to finished goods. Germany and Italy will have country pavilions at the event.

 

“I am happy to note that IILF 2026 has attracted more than 425 domestic exhibitors and around 67 exhibitors from overseas,” Juneja said.

 

Council for Leather Exports Regional Chairman (South) M Abdul Wahab said a Designer Fair would also be held, featuring designers from Italy, the United States, and Portugal. “This fair will provide an opportunity for Indian manufacturers and exporters to interact with leading designers and explore long-term tie-ups for design development,” he said.

 

Also read: ‘FTA with EU will double Indian exports in 5 years’