Hyderabad: FDDI national asset was how Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy described the Footwear Design and Development Institute at its fifth convocation in Hyderabad on Saturday.
Addressing students, parents and faculty as chief guest, he said the institute played a key role in strengthening India’s footwear, leather, fashion and retail ecosystem. He added that FDDI had promoted skills, innovation, quality standards and global competitiveness in the sector.
Highlighting the industry’s economic weight, Kishan Reddy said India was the world’s second-largest footwear manufacturer. He stated that the market was valued between $26 billion and $30 billion, with annual production of 2.5 billion pairs.
The sector, he noted, provided employment to 4 to 4.5 million people. It also exported footwear worth $5 billion to $6 billion annually.
FDDI national asset supports expanding footwear sector
The Minister said the government backed the sector through the Indian Footwear and Leather Industries Development Programme with a Rs.1,700 crore outlay. Under the Integrated Development of Leather Sector scheme, 857 units had received Rs.567.84 crore in assistance so far.
He said India had signed nine Free Trade Agreements with 38 developed nations, opening markets worth nearly Rs.45 lakh crore for Indian goods. In addition, GST reduction from 12% to 5% on select products would improve affordability and boost artisan incomes.
Kishan Reddy also referred to the Focused Product Scheme announced in Union Budget 2025, which is expected to generate 2.2 million additional jobs. He said a Production Linked Incentive scheme for the sector was under consideration.
Stressing quality and trust, he said India was emerging as a credible global power. Referring to the recent AI Impact Summit in Delhi, he added that the country was not only adopting technology but also shaping its future.