QCO to curb imports of substandard footwears: Piyush Goyal

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal stated that the leather and footwear industry of the country has the potential to raise employment in the sector from the current 40 lakh to 1 crore.The minister stated it while inaugurating the 8th India International Footwear Fair in Delhi on Thursday. Goyal informed that India is currently the second-largest footwear manufacturer in the world and expressed a vision for the country to become the top producer in this sector. India is the 9th largest exporter of footwear.
Goyal highlighted the immense growth potential of India’s footwear industry, citing modern manufacturing techniques and sustainable practices as key to achieving global leadership. He expressed optimism that the sector could reach the $50 billion export milestone by 2030. The Union Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting the industry’s expansion and welcomed innovative ideas and suggestions from stakeholders. 
The minister also added that the implementation of Quality Control Orders(QCOs) will help prevent substandard, low-cost leather product imports and help save the Indian Footwear industry from unfair competition. He stated QCOs will help inculcate a spirit of quality among the domestic manufacturers, enabling India to become a world-class manufacturer of quality footwear.