CM Adityanath assures full backing for Kanpur leather sector: CLE CR chief

In a major push to revitalize the region's leather and footwear sector, Yadvendra Singh Sachan, Regional Chairman (Central) of the Council for Leather Exports, recently met with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to discuss critical issues concerning the industry's growth, modernization, and international expansion.

During the meeting, Sachan raised the urgent need for a dedicated tannery leather cluster in Kanpur, a project that has been proposed for a long time but is yet to be developed. Sachan stated that he urged the Chief Minister to expedite the development of this proposed cluster to support local businesses. According to Sachan, Chief Minister Adityanath assured him that quick action would be taken to make the project a reality as soon as possible, immediately directing concerned officials to act on the matter. Sachan noted that officials have already commenced paperwork on the proposed project following the Chief Minister’s directive.

The discussions also focused on expanding Uttar Pradesh’s leather and footwear footprint in the global market. Sachan said he discussed strategies to promote joint ventures with foreign companies to boost exports and attract foreign investment. In response to these discussions, the Chief Minister apprised Sachan that the state government will soon organize a dedicated leather industry conclave in Kanpur to foster collaboration and growth.

Sachan highlighted that the industry is experiencing a positive turn after facing obstacles in the recent past due to the West Asia conflict. He stated that the situation is now improving rapidly, with export orders on the rise as the global supply chain returns to its normal level.

Addressing the long-term viability of the sector, Sachan emphasised that sustainability has become a business imperative as international markets increasingly move toward carbon-regulated trade. He stated that the proposed tannery leather cluster will serve as a significant step toward enabling micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and larger industries to transition toward cleaner, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient operations.

Elaborating on the meeting, Sachan said the Chief Minister listened attentively to the industry’s suggestions and reaffirmed the Uttar Pradesh government’s commitment to creating an industry-friendly ecosystem, boosting exports, generating employment, and resolving the various challenges faced by entrepreneurs.