Question : Leather Exports

(a) whether the leather export from the country has increased in recent years and if so, the details of leather export in terms of rupees during the last three years and the current year;
(b) the names of the first top five leather exports countries during the said period;
(c) whether the Government has any plan to increase leather exports in the next two years and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken in this regard;
(d) the number of people employed directly in the leather industry along with the value of leather exports to India; and
(e) whether the Government has put in place any alternate employment measures to safeguard the people employed in the leather industry who have been affected by the ban on trade of cattle for slaughter and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a) No Madam. The export value of leather, leather products & footwear during last 3 years and current year (in million rupee) terms is as follows:

(Figures in million rupees)
2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 (April-May, 2017) (P)
397118.71 383321.67 380024.07 58851.86
P- Provisional





(b) Year-wise ranking of leather exporting countries:

Rank 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17
1 China China China
2 Italy Italy Italy
3 Vietnam Vietnam Vietnam
4 Hong Kong, China France France
5 France Hong Kong, China Hong Kong, China
(Source:Council for Leather Exports(CLE))

(c) Yes, Madam. Steps have been taken for quality up-gradation of leather products to improve competitiveness in international markets. Also, the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme(MEIS), Interest Equalisation Scheme, Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme (EPCG), Market Access Initiative Scheme (MAI) and Duty Free Import Scheme (DFIS) have provisions to boost exports of leather and leather products.

(d) The number of people employed directly in the leather industry is estimated at 3.09 million. The value of exports of leather and leather products to India during 2016-17 was USD 1215.52 million (Source: CLE).

(e) Does not arise.

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