By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, AUG 09, 2024: THE implementation of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) will help prevent substandard, low-cost leather product imports and help save Indian Footwear industry from unfair competition. This was stated by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal while inaugurating the 8th India International Footwear Fair here today.

Goyal said that QCOs will help inculcate a spirit of quality among the domestic manufacturers, enabling India to become a world-class manufacturer of quality footwear. The Union Minister noted that the implementation of QCOs from August 1, 2024 will benefit the leather and footwear industry.

On liberalising the QCO guidelines, Goyal said that the Centre will give retailers two years to dispose of the existing footwear stock post application of the order. He also noted that fashion footwear manufacturing up to 72,000 pairs will not have to go through QCOs.

Emphasising the ability of the leather and footwear industry to expand their market domestically and abroad, Goyal said that the manufacturers have the potential to raise employment in the sector from current 40 lakh to 1 crore jobs. "We have the world market to capture. We need self-confidence, open mind to accept change", he said.

Goyal asserted that India is poised to become the market leaders in the world. He also expressed hope for the footwear industry to become the world's largest manufacturer. Currently, India is the 2nd largest manufacturer and 9th largest exporter of footwear. 

The Union Minister said that a target of USD50 billion of exports by 2030 is achievable. He pointed out that QCOs don't apply on exports but the exporters have to meet the quality requirements of their clients. The Minister urged the industry to leverage the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), especially with ASEAN and European countries and work towards making Indian brands global.