Minister of State for Commerce and Industry C R Chaudhary has said that leather exports and production in India are likely to surge 10 percent by the year 2019. He also noted that presently, the country’s leather exports stood at $5.66 billion.
Chaudhary pointed out that the government is taking several steps to improve business environment for the sector as part of the exercise to push growth and added that the exports of leather goods is linked to demand in developed regions like Europe. He further said that all Footwear Design and Development Institutes (FDDIs) will become institutes of national importance from October 23 with the implementation of the FDDI Act, which was approved by Parliament.
The minister also expressed hopes that FDDIs will be able to give degrees, diplomas and certificates and they would also formulate their course and curriculum. The approval of the FDDI Act by Parliament in July had ended the uncertainty among the students who were not sure whether they would get degree from the institute.