Bihar showcases leather sector incentives at Kanpur Investors' Meet

Leveraging its abundant resources and a robust incentive framework, Bihar made a high-profile pitch to the leather industry during an investors' meet held in Kanpur on November 18. Organized under the Bihar Business Connect 2024 initiative, the event brought together industry leaders and policymakers to showcase the state’s emerging role as a global leather hub and a viable alternative to traditional centers like Kanpur and Unnao.

The state’s delegation, led by Director of Industries Alok Ranjan Ghosh, unveiled a comprehensive policy framework offering 30% capital subsidies, interest subventions, and State-GST reimbursements. Ghosh emphasized that textiles and leather are high-priority sectors for Bihar due to their immense potential for employment generation, noting that the initiative aims to bring jobs directly to the local workforce. To support this vision, the state has developed an extensive infrastructure network, including 24 lakh square feet of "plug-and-play" industrial sheds at competitive rates and a 1,600-acre land bank where allotments are processed within seven days.

Industry representatives expressed strong confidence in the state’s progressive environment, with the meeting already yielding four formal investment intents. Arshad Iraqi, Regional Chairman of the Council for Leather Exports, commended the state's environmentally compliant tanneries and strategic connectivity, suggesting Bihar is key to hitting the regional target of increasing exports from $20 million to $50 million by 2027.

Testimonials from established players further bolstered Bihar's claims; Gaurav Kumar, a footwear manufacturer currently operating in Hajipur, highlighted the efficiency of the state's online single-window system. His facility now serves both domestic markets and international clients, including the Russian fashion and defense sectors. By integrating modern infrastructure with streamlined digital clearances, Bihar officials signalled a firm commitment to fostering a sustainable and lucrative industrial ecosystem for both new and established leather manufacturers.