India seeks duty free access for leather goods

NEW DELHI: Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said that India is pitching for duty free market access for leather goods in countries such as UAE, the UK and Australia, with which it is negotiating trade treaties and set an ambitious export target for the sector.
Goyal is seeking a threefold jump in leather exports to $10 billion by 2025. Leather exports were estimated at $3.3 billion last year and $4.6 billion in 2019-20. Addressing an event organised by the Council for Leather Exports, he said shipments of Kolhapuri chappals alone could reach $1 billion and pushed for more ambitious goals. Leather goods are seen to be a key element of the labour-intensive sectors, including textiles.