Kolkata, March 14 (IANS) Notwithstanding Indian finished leather exports surging by over ten percent during April-November 2014, an industry official says the domestic makers need to build their own brands rather than selling finished leather abroad or going for contractual manufacturing.
"Personally, I wish contractual manufacturing decreases and Indian companies come up with their own brands rather than produce the goods for a third party", Adhar Sahani, chairman of trade show committee of Indian Leather Products Association told IANS here.
The leather exports industry overall grew by 18.5 per cent at Rs. 26,940 crore during April-November 2014 against the previous year's performance of Rs. 22,729 crore.
According to the veteran leather industry official, the Europe-bound export scenario is not conducive as the Euro is falling against the Rupee leading to decreased margins. The trade embargo on Russia is also hitting the supply.
"Russia is a brand-conscious market and prefers European brands. Now, with the embargo on Russia in place, the demand for finished leather (from India) is falling", he said.
Asked if Indians can directly export to brand-conscious Russia, he said: "India first needs to build its world-class export brands to take on the established global players".
Indians are becoming brand-conscious nowadays. Companies are focusing on offering the best quality to meet global standards which is "encouraging" for the leather industry, he added.
Sahani said Indian leather goods makers need to build their "own brands" now as Indian leather holds a coveted place in the international market.
However, he said finance would be the biggest challenge for the industry.
"What the industry needs are angel investors willing to put money in ventures aiming to become global brands", he said.
When asked about the possibility of the recent beef ban in Maharashtra hitting leather supplies, he said, "It will have no impact".
BJP has criticized Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for his comments on BJP leaders taking a
MI vs DC: Mumbai dashed Delhi's hopes, reached the playoffs; After Suryakumar, Santner-Bumrah shone
Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi Capitals by 59 runs. With this, Mumbai became the fourth team to re
Weather Update Today In the capital Delhi today, where the weather has become pleasant due to rai
Germany Coup: 25 people belonging to extremist group in custody, planned armed coup in Germany
Heavy police personnel raided some 130 locations of far-right extremists in Germany. During this,
Won't let you down, Modi assures farmers
New Delhi, March 22 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi o
The tension between India and China in Ladakh for almost a year is now expected to end, as the tw
At least 13 people were injured in a blast on Monday at a market in the Khujdar district of Pakis
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has left Hathras after meeting the
Inflation hits Sri Lanka, many families reach India
The economic crisis in Sri Lanka is now turning into a humanitarian crisis.
<
EAM Jaishankar in Australia: India and Australia have come closer to each other since the growing
