The Hindu Business Line : `Leather industry must work on promoting brands'

THE leather industry should work on promoting brands and simultaneously back the national image building exercise, said Mr S.B. Mookherjee, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, while inaugurating the leather fair on Saturday.

The leather industry's modernisation drive in the last decade has boosted volumes and improved quality. In future, the Government expects the leather industry to plan comprehensive projects for market access, he said.

Mr Mookherjee acknowledged the industry's constraints such as congestion in ports and shortage of quality manpower. He assured them the Government would try to remedy the situation.

The Minister reminded the industry of the Government's initiative in launching the tannery modernisation scheme in 2000. Till date, 109 tanneries had drawn a total of Rs 12 crore under the scheme. He added that another 120 tanneries had applied for resources under the scheme.

The leather fair, an annual international event, is being held at the Chennai Trade Centre. It will be open for business visitors from February 1 to 4.