Amendment proposed in the name of CLE with the new name as ‘Council for Footwear & Leather Exports’ – Concurrence Requested
No.CLE-HO/PTLM/General/2025-26
2nd May 2025
To: Members of the Council
Dear Sir/Madam,
Sub: Amendment proposed in the name of CLE with the new name as ‘Council for Footwear & Leather Exports’ – Concurrence Requested – reg.
As you all are aware that Council for Leather Exports (CLE) is the single largest Apex trade promotion organization for Leather & Footwear Industry in the country, functioning under the aegis of Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. CLE is the Export Promotion Council for Leather & Footwear Industry, notified by Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in the National Foreign Trade Policy. The product coverage of the CLE as EPC includes Raw hides & skins, Leather, Leather Products & Accessories, Leather Garments, Leather Gloves, Harness & Saddlery items, Leather Footwear, Non-Leather Footwear, Footwear Components and allied products etc.
With the ever changing global trade and growing domestic market of India for footwear, there is need for the CLE to focus on the domestic market also besides the export markets. The Leather & Footwear Industry size is estimated to be around US $ 24.38 billion (FY 2023-24) which consist of exports US $ 5.38 billion, and domestic market of US $ 19.00 billion. As per Vision 2030 for the sector, the industry size estimated to reach an ambitious level of US $ 50.00 billion (FY 2029-30), which consist of exports US $ 14.00 billion and domestic market size of US $ 36.00 billion. This calls for exports to growth at 17.28% of CAGR and domestic market growth of 11.24% CAGR. It is also pertinent to mention here that share of Footwear alone is 58% in exports and 76% in domestic market. As such, it is imperative for the CLE to focus on both domestic market and export markets, and on both leather as well as non-leather footwear and products.
In tune with this approach, it has become necessary for the CLE to amend its name to include both exports as well as domestic market focus. It is generally commented by various stakeholders that name of ‘COUNCIL FOR LEATHER EXPORTS’ refers only to Leather and its exports. But CLE caters to the needs for both leather & non-leather sector. Therefore, it is now a necessity for the CLE to have a new title to include both Footwear & Leather Industry and to focus on manufacturing for exports as well as for domestic sales.
This was discussed in the 182nd meeting of the Committee of Administration (COA) of CLE held on 29.04.2025 at Kanpur, and a decision was unanimously taken to amend the name of CLE as COUNCIL FOR FOOTWEAR & LEATHER EXPORTS which is inclusive of both domestic and exports of footwear (both leather & non-leather), leather & leather products sectors.
The CLE would request the members to take note of the above, and kindly send your concurrence for the change of new name i.e., COUNCIL FOR FOOTWEAR & LEATHER EXPORTS(CFLE) by Email: cle@cleindia.com under cc to dd-p.t@cleindia.com, ad-tp@cleindia.com on or before 12th May 2025.
This would enable us to initiate further necessary steps under the law as per procedures.
With warm regards,
R. SELVAM, IAS
Executive Director
Council for Leather Exports