New Delhi: Russia, the 13th biggest importer of leather products, offers a huge opportunity for Indian leather and footwear exporters, according to the Council for Leather Exports.
Russia’s imports of leather and footwear products were worth USD 3.9 billion in 2018. India exported USD 52.6 million worth of leather products to that country, Council for Leather Exports (CLE) chairman Panaruna Aqeel Ahmed highlighted.
“The figures clearly reflect the export opportunities for domestic players in the Russian market. It will play a crucial role in achieving our envisaged double-digit export growth levels in the coming years,” Aqeel said in a statement.
The council is not only looking at participation in fairs like Mosshoes, but also at collaboration with Russian trade and business associations by inviting them to participate in reverse buyer-seller meets in India.
Last week, the chairman led a delegation of 24 leading Indian exporters of leather products and footwear to Russia to participation in the Mosshoes Fair in Moscow.
Mosshoes is the biggest exhibition for footwear and leather products, witnessing the participation of over 1,000 brands across the globe.
India’s total exports of leather and footwear products were USD 5.7 billion in 2018-19.
The current major export destinations for the sector include Europe and the US. The sector employs about 42 lakh people. Agencies