India-Italy collaborates on footwear

A footwear and leather accessories fair, Expo Riva Schuh India - showcasing handbags, luggage, belts and gloves - is being organised in India and for this event the Council for Leather Exports(CLE), India, and the Expo Riva Schuh Garda Fair, Italy, have collaborated to upgrade production, quality and distribution.

"Indian market has been obvious choice for us for so many reasons. Firstly, you have skilled labour. Secondly we see huge potential in the Indian market and we would like to explore it," Roney Simon, managing director, Expo Riva Schuh India, told IANS at a press conference here on Wednesday. The fair will be held between July 28-30 at New Delhi's Pragati Maidan.

"Also, there was a great need for an international fair in the leather and footwear sector in India and this event will make India a global hub for sourcing leather, shoes, garments and finished goods," he added.

According to CLE website, India is the second largest global producer of footwear after China, accounting for 13 percent of global footwear production of 16 billion pairs producing 2065 million pairs of different categories of footwear and exports about 115 million pairs.

Around 200 people will participate in the fair, and besides domestic companies, international firms from China, Bangladesh, Thailand and Italy will also participate in the three-day event at Pragati Maidan.