Leather export target set at $4 bn by 2010

Growing at an annual 13 per cent rate, domestic leather industry aims at doubling its exports earnings to $4 billion by 2010.

At present, Indian leather industry is valued at $4 billion inclusive of $2 billion earnings from exports.

India accounts for a share of 2.32 per cent in the global leather trade, vice-president of the Council for Leather Exports Sanjay Leekha said, adding that the country has a huge potential in leather exports as there exists abundance of raw materials as the country is the leader in cattle population in the world.

Today, Indian leather industry ranks eighth in the export trade of foreign exchange earnings of the country.

The value added finished leather products constitute 80 per cent of the total export from the industry, which is mere seven per cent in 1956-57.