The Hindu Business Line : Tata International plans footwear unit at Kolkata

This was confirmed by the State Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr Nirupam Sen, who said the company had expressed an interest in setting up such a facility at the newly inaugurated leather complex. "We are still discussing the issue and have not entered into any formal agreement as yet."

Along with its subsidiaries in Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates Australia and Africa, the company boasts a combined turnover of $ 1.1 billion. It is also one of the country's largest exporters of leather and leather products in developed markets.

Apart from marketing products manufactured by itself, the company serves as the international trading arm of the Tata Group dealing with automobiles, automotive components, chemicals, consumer products, bulk imports, minerals, metals, engineering products and software.

Sources said that the company had recently initiated discussions with the West Bengal Government to set up an integrated tanning-cum-footwear manufacturing facility at the Leather Complex. About 20-25 acres had been requisitioned for the purpose. However, queries made to Tata International on the project went unanswered.

The Chairman of Tata Group , Mr Ratan Tata, had recently described West Bengal as an "attractive destination" and had expressed his interest in increasing the group's exposure in the State.

The leather and leather products division of Tata International presently has a manufacturing facility in Kolkata that caters to the German, UK and US markets in the mid-value segments.

The company's premium product manufacturing facilities are located at Dewas in Madhya Pradesh, Chennai, Delhi and China.

The Graziella Shoes Ltd at Chennai is a 50-50 joint venture with Pucci SRL of Italy, manufacturing daily 3,000 pairs of full shoes with Italian unit soles and Indian uppers. The Dewas unit manufactures an entire range of high value leather garments made of goat skin.

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