Kozhikode can become country’s non-leather footwear hub: Industries Minister

Shri Rajeeve inaugurates ‘Investor Conclave 2024’

Calicut / January 13, 2024

Kozhikode, Jan 13: Highlighting the famed tradition of Kozhikode in footwear industry, Minister for Industries, Law and Coir Shri P. Rajeeve said today that the area has immense potential to become India’s non-leather footwear industrial hub. 

Inaugurating the ‘Investor Conclave 2024’, organised by Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) in association with Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) here, Shri Rajeeve urged entrepreneurs to come forward to harness the rich tradition of Kozhikode in the leather industry and create a brand of its own.

Noting that footwear industry has huge possibilities, Shri Rajeeve said by reviving the industry, Kozhikode could create more job opportunities, besides benefitting Kerala’s industry sector as a whole.

 “In line with the progress being made by other districts in the private industrial park sector, entrepreneurs of this district should also take initiative for setting up industrial parks. By March this year, the total number of private industrial parks in the state will be around 35 and the government has already given approval for 20 more parks,” he said.   

Commenting that the activities of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector in Kerala are highly promising, Shri Rajeeve said figures show that MSMEs in the state is robust compared to other states.  

“In 2021-22, banks in Kerala gave loans to the tune of Rs 50,000 crore to MSMEs and in the current financial year (9 months), banks have given Rs 81,000 crore loans to MSMEs. This shows the functional strength and ability of the sector,” he explained.

Shri Rajeeve added that the ‘Mission 1000’ that aims at scaling up 1000 MSMEs into businesses with an average annual turnover of Rs. 100 crore in a span of four years is getting tremendous response.

Shri A. P. M. Mohammed Hanish, Principal Secretary, (Industries), who presided over the function said, leveraging the centuries  old tradition of Kozhikode in footwear industry, new high quality products need to be marketed apart from increasing production.

Shri Hanish said while branding new products, entrepreneurs need to find out new domestic and global markets.

Director of Industries and Commerce and Managing Director KSIDC Shri S. Harikishore, in his welcome address, said the conclave aims to elicit innovative methods for the development of footwear sector in the district.

In his special address, Col. Pankaj Kumar Sinha, Managing Director, FDDI, highlighted the need for a thorough overhaul in footwear sector in tune with the current trends in the industry.

Shri V K C Razzak, Chairman, All India MSME Footwear Council & Director, KSIDC, said it was vital for creating an environment for footwear industrialists to familiarise with new technologies and possibilities in the sector.

Shri Ranjith Babu, General Manager, DIC, Kozhikode; and Ms Suni P S, Assistant General Manager, KSIDC, also spoke.

Dr Narasimhugari TL Reddy, Executive Director, FDDI and former Collector, Kozhikode; and FDDI Chennai faculty members Shri Prince Joseph, Shri D Ramesh and Shri Rajesh Nair led various sessions at the conclave.