Exim Bank Backs Jalandhar’s Leather Industry to Go International

By 121 News

Chandigarh 31^st May:- Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) and Punjab Leather Federation have announced their intent to explore areas of cooperation through which leather and leather product companies in the Jalandhar district of Punjab can be supported in accessing international markets. At a recent seminar, which was attended by representatives of Jalandhar's cluster of indigenous leather and leather product exporters, senior officials from both organizations highlighted the growth potential for the sector and outlined existing programs and facilities that would help address some pertinent issues.

Jalandhar is one of India's major production centres for leather and leather products. The Punjab Leather Federation estimates that leather and leather products worth Rs. 800 crore are exported from the cluster. Exports constitute primarily leather and fabricated products such as footwear and bags. Leather exporters in Jalandhar, however, are faced with several hard challenges including power shortage and high cost of power, competition from companies situated closer to the international airport in Delhi, unorganized cattle breeding in Punjab and the need for increasing the number and capacity of effluents treatment plants (ETPs) in the region.

Lt. Col. J. S. Paul, President of the Punjab Leather Federation highlighted the key issues and the role that the Federation plays in supporting the leather industry in the region.

Speaking at the seminar, Mrs. Kusum Singh, Regional Head, Exim Bank said that the SME sector plays an important role in sustaining growth. SMEs need to improve and upgrade their operations to penetrate global markets.