Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday highlighted the growing role of technical textiles in the footwear industry and encouraged manufacturers to leverage government initiatives, including the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, to enhance innovation, manufacturing capabilities and global competitiveness.Speaking at the inauguration of the 10th India International Footwear Fair, the textile minister emphasised the need to expand international participation, foster technology partnerships and develop IIFF into a globally recognised platform that attracts buyers, exhibitors and investors from across the world.He further underscored the immense growth potential of India's footwear industry, particularly in the non-leather segment, and called for greater collaboration among industry stakeholders, technology providers and government agencies.The textile minister encouraged the sector to focus on innovation, design excellence, quality manufacturing and value addition to meet evolving global demand. Expressing confidence in India's manufacturing capabilities, he said the sector is well-positioned to create employment, boost exports and contribute significantly to India's journey towards becoming a global manufacturing hub.The three-day India International Footwear Fair 2026, organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), brings together leading footwear manufacturers, exporters, importers, buyers, technology providers and other stakeholders from India and abroad, providing a platform to showcase innovations, strengthen business partnerships and explore opportunities across the footwear value chain.Jawed Ashraf, Chairman, ITPO, underscored the potential of India's footwear industry, which provides employment to nearly 4.5 million people and accounts for 12-13 per cent of global footwear production.He observed that despite India's strong manufacturing base, the country's share in global footwear exports remains around 2 per cent, and called for a collective effort by the government, industry, and ITPO to increase this share to 10 per cent.Published on August 7, 2026