nion Minister Giriraj Singh has highlighted the growing importance of technical textiles in the footwear industry and urged manufacturers to make greater use of government initiatives, including the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, to strengthen innovation, manufacturing capabilities and India's global competitiveness.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 10th India International Footwear Fair (IIFF), the Textile Minister emphasised the need to increase international participation at the event and foster stronger technology partnerships. He also called for the IIFF to evolve into a globally recognised platform capable of attracting buyers, exhibitors and investors from across the world.

The Minister underlined the significant growth potential of India's footwear industry, particularly in the non-leather segment, and stressed the importance of closer collaboration between industry stakeholders, technology providers and government agencies.

He encouraged footwear manufacturers to focus on innovation, design excellence, quality manufacturing and value addition to meet changing global demand. Expressing confidence in India's manufacturing capabilities, Singh said the sector has considerable potential to generate employment, increase exports and contribute to India's ambition of becoming a global manufacturing hub.

The three-day India International Footwear Fair 2026, organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), brings together footwear manufacturers, exporters, importers, buyers, technology providers and other stakeholders from India and overseas. The fair provides a platform for showcasing new technologies and innovations, strengthening business partnerships and exploring opportunities across the footwear value chain.

Speaking at the event, Jawed Ashraf, Chairman, ITPO, highlighted the scale and economic significance of India's footwear industry. He noted that the sector provides employment to nearly 4.5 million people and accounts for approximately 12–13% of global footwear production.

However, despite India's strong manufacturing base, the country's share of global footwear exports remains around 2%. Ashraf called for a collective effort involving the government, industry and ITPO to increase India's share of global footwear exports to 10%.

The discussions at IIFF 2026 underline the opportunities available to India's footwear sector as it seeks to strengthen manufacturing, adopt advanced technologies, expand exports and establish a stronger position in the global footwear market.