According to data released by the Sri Lankan Export Development Board
(EDF), the country has exported leather footwear worth $5.37 million between January and May compared with $6 million in 2004 and $5.56 in 2005, a negative growth of 7.3% and 3.41% respectively.

Sri Lanka also exported leather and leather products including hides and skins worth $8.43 million in this period compared with $11.29 million in 2004 and $10.89 million in 2005.

The country’s combined sector exports stood at $2.532 billion between January and May.

The Sri Lanka Ministry of Industrial Development and the Footwear Association (SLFA) have launched a programme to support small-scale industrialists in enhancing the country's supply base. Footwear manufacturers will be able to apply for loans to enable them to import machinery and acquire technical facilities.

SLFA Chairman Chandralal de Silva said, "As a first step, the Association plans to uplift 1000 small-scale industrialists…. we hope to establish a large raw material supply base and training institutes for footwear manufacturing and set up design centres for the local footwear industry.”