Chennai to get new footwear complex
The Indian government has approved plans to build a footwear complex and footwear component park in Chennai. The government will invest Rs140 million ($3 million) in the complex and Rs100 million in the component park. A Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) is also being established in Chennai and is expected to be up and running by the 2010-11.
During the 10th five-year plan period the government has also approved proposals to establish a leather goods park in Kolkata, West Bengal, (Rs50 million) and a leather complex at Nellore in Andhra Pradesh (Rs290 million).
Estimates from the Central Leather Research Institute suggest that approximately 2.5 million people are employed directly and indirectly within the Indian Leather Sector, while an additional 500,000 jobs are expected to be generated during the next five years.
