Minister pushes for footwear job increases
India’s minister for commerce and industry, Piyush Goyal, has said the country’s footwear and leather industry could increase employment with the number of jobs these sectors support directly rising from 4 million to 10 million.
Speaking at the eighth India International Footwear Fair in New Delhi, Mr Goyal noted the sector’s potential for domestic and international expansion, urging the industry to embrace change and quality improvement.
He discussed the implementation of quality control orders (QCOs) to curb low-cost imports and protect the Indian industry. He also announced that retailers will have two years to clear existing stock under new regulations, with certain fashion footwear exempted.
Mr Goyal expressed confidence in India’s potential to lead the global footwear market.
