IFCOMA’s Shoetech 2022 edition in Agra, held on 6th-7th April, welcomed a total of 80 exhibitors and 4000 visitors from across the regions
Seventh edition of Shoetech Agra organized by Indian Footwear Components Manufacturers Association (IFCOMA) commenced with the objective of bringing Footwear & allied Industry of Agra under one roof on 6th & 7th April 2022 at Hotel Madhu Resorts, Sikandra, Agra.
7th edition of Shoetech Agra was inaugurated on the 6th of April 2022 by Shri Sanjay Leekha, Chairman Council for Leather Exports, Delhi along with Guests of Honour, Shri Gopal Gupta, Shri Rajiv Wasan, Shri Rajesh Sehgal, Capt Ajit Singh Rana, Shri Motilal Sethi, Managing Director, M/s Saroj International, NOIDA by lighting of the Lamp & Cutting of Ribbon. Shri RK Shukla, Asst Director, CLE, Shri Sanatan Sahoo, Director, CFTI-Agra, Shri Chandra Shekhar, Manager, AFMEC, Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters from Agra, Exhibitors and major component manufacturers from different locations PAN India were present during the ceremony.
IFCOMA resumed its second innings with much excitement within the industry post the Pandemic pressures which prevented any such personal meet for the last two and half years. The show received strong support of Agra Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Chamber (AFMEC), Council for Leather Exports, Central Footwear Training Institute &, Footwear design and development Institute, Agra Shoe Manufacturers Association, Fraternity of Agra Footwear Manufacturers and other institutions: MSME & Make in India (DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce) for showcasing the SME units from Agra, Kanpur, Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, Bahadurgarh, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore.
As per IFCOMA, four thousand plus business visitors attended the two-day event while majority of the Exhibitors shared their satisfaction on the interactions and outcome of the fair. 80 plus Exhibitors participated in the event and displayed various Footwear components, accessories & machinery, including specialized Finished leather, Buff leather, Soles (TPR/TPU/PU etc.) of the latest design , PU, Semi-PU, PVC, Machinery, Adhesive, Varnishes, Release Agents, Water based adhesives, Plastic shoe lasts, Insoles, toe-puff & Counters, Shank Boards, Technical textiles, Linings & Interlinings , Laminated fabric, EVA & PU foam, Moulded Socks, Comfort foam Insole, Heel grip, Non-woven fabrics, Velcro tapes, Shoe finishing Chemicals, Buckles, Metal fittings, Industrial Sewing Threads, Finishes & Chemicals, Packaging Boxes, Synthetic leather, fur, labels, Moulded counters, Shoe Machinery, Spares for Machinery, Knitted fabrics, Fusible Interlinings, etc.
Presiding over the Inaugural address, Shri Sanjay Gupta President IFCOMA welcomed the Chief Guest Shri Sanjay Leekha, Chairman-CLE along with Guests of Honour Shri Gopal Gupta, Vice President – AFMEC, Capt. AS Rana Convenor AFMEC, Shri Rajesh Sehgal, Vice President-AFMEC Shri Rajeev Wasan, General Secretary-AFMEC, Shri Motilal Sethi, MD-Saroj International, the doyen of the Industry Shri Daljeet Singh, CMD M/s. Tej Group Agra, Shri Kuldeep Singh, President FAFM, Agra, members of the trade and the august gathering during the inauguration function. He stressed on the need for the components sector to consolidate its position to contribute its bit vide the ambitious target given by the Prime Minister of $ 20 USD Billion domestic and $ 10 USD Billion Exports for the Leather trade. Export of leather, leather products and footwear during April – September 2021 was USD 2261.17 million as against the export value of USD 1558.72 million during April – Sept. 2020, achieving 45.07% growth. USA continues to remain major market and our exports to USA has shown the second highest growth percentage of 98.43%, next only to China, wherein the export growth rate is 112.41%. Exports to many countries namely UAE, Australia, Japan, Canada, Chile, South Africa etc., have registered significant higher growth values than the average growth of 45.07%, while exports to Europe has showed a growth of about 40%.
He stressed on the need of conducting Components survey. Increase of 20% subsidy to the components sector vide the IDLS & technical know-how import from Italy, Spain & Taiwan. He observed that the rise of new India is imminent, and both the Footwear and Component sectors should energies its strategies to boost the trade to achieve the exports and domestic targets.
The Chief Guest Shri Sanjay Leekha, Chairman, Council for Leather Exports in his address applauded the efforts of IFCOMA to bring the industry together under one platform and help the exporters & Manufacturers to see the latest developments in the components sector. He stressed on the bonding between the Footwear & Components Sector to minimize the imports and allow growth for the local Industry. He observed that the initiative undertaken by IFCOMA to bring in the seventh edition of Shoetech Agra will surely accelerate the coveted growth of the industry. He said that it is right time for Indian Industry members to capitalize on the anti-China sentiments and move forward along with pro-active measures and support being extended by the Indian Govt. This will help us gallop our combined strengths in terms of enhancing the exports and domestic manufacturing in line with roadmap towards achieving the target set by honorable Prime Minister of India. The Chief Guest and Guests of honour unveiled the IFCOMA logo celebrating its 25 glorious years and as a mark of major achievements of IFCOMA in the past 25 years.
IFCOMA recognized and facilitated the special talent and achiever of the industry. The Doyen of the Industry Sardar Daljeet Singh, CMD Tej Group, Agra was honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award. He praised the efforts of IFCOMA in bringing together the industry and recognizing the industry stalwarts from Agra. Shri Daljeet Singh addressed the audience citing the Shoetech Agra show as promising for the Footwear manufacturers and Exporters. He described about how the industry began operating in Agra and its journey to successful ventures. He observed that the Tej Group pioneered in bringing the corporate culture into the Shoe Industry which helped the industry grow and maximize the exports to Europe and America.
IFCOMA Excellence Award was presented to M/s Bajwa Rubber Industries Agra. Shri Sunny Bajwa received the Award from the Chief Guest Shri Sanjay Leekha Chairman Council for Leather Exports.
M/s Shroff Group, Agra was honored with Golden Corporate Award for shaping the Agra Footwear Component Industry into a rich self-sufficient Industry with multiple components offered to the industry. Shroff Group dedicated 50 years of bringing consistent development to the industry. Shri Anil Magan, Chairman, Shroff Group received the award from Shri Rajiv Wasan, Chairman M/s AT Exports & General Secretary, AFMEC.
Outstanding women performers were felicitated with Women Entrepreneurs Awards: –
Ms Ritu Jain, M/s Kailash (Forme) Creations Pvt Ltd, AGRA
Ms Meenu Kohli, M/s Swarna International, Agra
IFCOMA recognized the contribution of Domestic Footwear Manufacturers in Agra by awarding the exemplary awards to outstanding achievers. Top four performing units were felicitated with the Exemplary Award.
1 M/s Aryman Footwear Exports Pvt Ltd, Agra
2 M/s Guide Footwear, Agra
3 M/s Guruji Enterprises, Agra
4 M/s Srijati Footwear Pvt Ltd, Agra
Shri Deepak Manchanda General Secretary, IFCOMA concluded the inaugural function with vote of thanks. While, IFCOMA organized a discussion on new Guidelines proposed under the Integrated Leather Development Scheme (IDLS). Shri Aritra Das, Project Coordinator from FDDI gave a detailed presentation to enrich the august gathering on the 6th of April, evening at Hotel Holiday Inn, Agra. Members present during the interaction applauded the efforts of IFCOMA in updating them about the new IDLS Scheme (2021-26).
Shri Puran Dawar, President AFMEC on his visit interacted with member participants at all the stalls and appreciated the members enthusiasm of putting up an effective display of different types of products/components which is very useful for the Industry in Agra. The fair received a grand response from the Industry in Sikandra, Artoni, Hing Ki Mandi, UPSIDC, EPEP, Shahganj and other industrial areas of Agra.
