3 cos join hands to help SHGs in leather product making

Chennai, May 29 (UNI) In a pioneering initiative, three major leather companies have joined hands to involve Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) in manufacture of leather products and boost its exports.

Announcing this at a news conference after a review meeting with the Council for Leather Exports (CLE) here, Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh said this first-of-its-kind initiative would be launched in Kancheepuram District of Tamil Nadu in one month's time.

It would be launched in a series of clusters in the district, wherein A V Thomas, Tata International and R R Leathers would provide training, marketing and production assistance in leather products.

''These companies will establish direct contact with the SHGs, provide equipment, training facilities and help them produce better designed products, besides helping in marketing to boost exports,'' he added.

''We will be making a beginning in Kancheepuram and have identified some districts in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, where a bulk of leather industries are situated, apart from Tamil Nadu,'' he added.

About 60 SHGs, each with 15 to 20 members, have been targeted for this purpose. In all, there will be about 900 to 1,000 members. If we succeed in this unique initiative, it will be expanded to other districts and Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal,'' Mr Ramesh said.

MORE UNI