India's footwear exports to double in next 3 yrs at $4.5 bln

New Delhi, June 10 (UNI) The Indian Footwear Components Manufacturer's Association (IFCOMA) today said the country's shoe exports will more than double in the next three years to 4.5 billion dollars.

''The exports will almost touch 4.5 billion dollars from the current two billion dollars by 2010-2011,'' IFCOMA President B D Bhaiya told reporters here.

He said apart from exports, the domestic Indian consumption of footwear is rising and is presently estimated to be over 100 million pairs.

India accounts for 2.65 per cent of the world trade in leather and leather goods, including footwear. ''This will increase to about five per cent in the next three years,'' he said.

''This is an opportune time for India as even the foreign players are looking at importing from our country, shifting their focus from China,'' Indian Shoe Federation President Aqeel Ahmed said adding that this shift is accountable to India's rising cost competitiveness.

The conference was held here to announce the North India's largest leather exhibition, which will be held from May 8-10 next year at Greater Noida.

''About 10,000 people are expected visit the exhibition which will have 300 exhibitors, with 30 per cent overseas players, from 20 countries across the globe,'' CMP India Managing Director M Gandhi said.

CMP Asia, a leading organiser of exhibition in Asia, in association with IFCOMA, a non-profit organisation, will organise this function.

''Everyone in the shoe making business will gain fresh insights into new products and make valuable contacts. The full footwear manufacturing spectrum will be covered including suppliers of leather and materials, components, threads and adhesives, all the way to the most sophisticated shoe making assembly line machinery and CAD/CAM software,'' Mr Gandhi said.

UNI MP SR RN1630