International footwear fair in Agra a major draw

Agra, Oct.31 (ANI): A big variety of footwear has been put on display for public viewing at an international Footwear Fair that was inaugurated here on Saturday.

The fair showcases several varieties of leather types, shoe designs, various types of machinery with the latest technologies. It has also brought buyers and manufacturers from different parts of the world under one roof. It is hoped to enhance and strengthen the industry in a big way.

It has drawn a large number of finished leather suppliers, component manufacturers, machinery and equipment suppliers, accessories, chemicals, packaging organisations to participate in this unique fair.gra, which is globally famous as the city of monument of love-Taj Mahal, is hosting this fair for the fourth successive time and has drawn participants from within the country and abroad.

"This is for the fourth successive occasion that Agra has got the opportunity to host this fair. Good to learn that here participants are not only from across the nation but the world also. This has led to the increase in interaction and has also promoted this profession," said Anjula Singh Mahour, Mayor of Agra.

Pooran Dawar, President of Agra Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Chamber (AFMEC) said that unlike the usual norms, this year's fair has organised by the buyers and not by the manufacturers or vendors.

"See where ever there are leather clusters, to develop the industries there, the supply chain has to be very strong. Our exports are time bound and quality committed and till the time we will not get the quality inputs in time, we will not be able to complete our commitments. This is the first and unique kind of fair which is started by the buyers and not by the sellers as generally sellers come to sell things," said Dawar.

He also noted that business worth over 6 billion rupees is expected to be finalised during the two-day fair.

Agra is one of the major shoe manufacturing centres in India with an annual turnover of 35 billion rupees and at least 125 thousand persons are engaged in the industry. By Brijesh Kumar Singh (ANI)