India and Vietnam explore footwear cooperation

Indian companies reportedly manufactured 3 billion pairs of footwear in 2024 and exports reached 266 million pairs.

Plans for a closer link between the Indian and Vietnamese footwear industries were highlighted by India’s Council for Leather Exports (CLE) at the recent Vietnam Footwear Summit in Ho Chi Minh City.

CLE vice-chairman Mukhtarul Amin presented opportunities for investment, joint ventures and technical collaboration between the two nations, while also outlining India’s footwear production industry and its domestic market.

According to the CLE, India manufactured 3 billion pairs of footwear in 2024, while exports are said to have reached 266 million pairs. Sales of leather footwear overseas reportedly rose from USD 1.49 billion in 2020-21 to USD 1.95 billion during 2025-26.

The organisation identified opportunities in footwear production, components, machinery, product development and workforce training while also outlining India’s history of artisan footwear. International companies were invited to attend the Bharat Footwear and Leather Expo (BFLEX), due to be held in New Delhi in March 2027.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 2 of the October 2026 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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