Goyal asks leather and footwear industry to target USD 15 billion exports; UK FTA from 15 July
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged the leather and footwear industry on 6 July 2026 in New Delhi to target at least USD 15 billion in exports in five to six years, and said the India–UK FTA comes into force on 15 July.
Summary
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal asked the leather and footwear industry to target at least USD 15 billion in exports over the next five to six years, while addressing the Council for Leather Exports' National Export Excellence Awards for 2024-25 in New Delhi on 6 July 2026. The sector currently exports about USD 4–4.5 billion, and Goyal urged a three-fold rise by using new Free Trade Agreements and diversifying markets. He said India's FTAs open doors to 38 developed countries, the UK FTA comes into force on 15 July, and the legal scrub of the EU FTA should be done in 15–20 days. He said employment in the sector could grow from over 40 lakh to 1 crore.
Key facts
- Event
- CLE National Export Excellence Awards 2024-25, New Delhi, 6 July 2026
- Target
- At least USD 15 billion exports in 5–6 years
- Current exports
- About USD 4–4.5 billion
- UK FTA
- Comes into force on 15 July 2026
- EU FTA
- Legal scrub expected in 15–20 days
- Jobs
- Over 40 lakh now; potential 1 crore
Practice MCQs 2 questions
What export target did Piyush Goyal set for India's leather and footwear industry on 6 July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — At least USD 15 billion in five to six years
Goyal urged at least USD 15 billion in exports over the next five to six years, against about USD 4–4.5 billion now.
According to Piyush Goyal's statement of 6 July 2026, from which date does the India–UK FTA come into force?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 15 July 2026
Goyal said the UK FTA would come into force on 15 July.