The Indian Footwear Components Manufacturers Association (IFCOMA) continues to take commendable strides in establishing a product identity in various parts of the world, for footwear components from India. As has been mentioned by the IFCOMA President, ' Mr. Mani Almal, the NLDP has provided significant support in the building of this important manufacturing sector in India. Both at the National and International levels, the UNDP - NLDP backing various initiatives were recently taken.

Under the NLDP-IFCOMA work-plan of external activity, the footwear component manufacturers will be able to participate at major international fairs like Lineapelle (Italy), GDS (Germany) & other places for exposure and to create direct linkages with the world shoe manufacturers/buyers. At the same time, they will upgrade the web site: ifcomaonline.com to have faster access worldwide. The approved plan has major support for the most needed HRD and R&D activity, which is very essential to compete with the global requirements in future.

 

While executing the work plan, our first participation in the Lineapelle Fair/Bologna, 5th to 7th May 99 was an excellent exposure of BEST OF INDIA Footwear Components at Italy, the heart of world footwear and Components industries and known for its quality, quantity and fashion designing. IFCOMA stand was of 32 sq. mtr. and there were 8 members who participated with their product range. In addition, 3 companies opted to send samples and literature for display which was managed by our coordinator.

Interestingly, more than 150 visitors, mainly Shoe Manufacturers/Buyers/importers and traders from different countries have shown serious interest in the Indian Footwear Components and Accessories. Our production range, quality and prices were found to be very competitive with those of other international suppliers. It is expected that these inquiries will result in direct/indirect business worth more than Rs. 10 Crores for the Indian Components Industry. Moreover, the world leading Footwear Component manufacturers have also met with our counterparts for possible tech. tie ups/joint ventures in further upgradation of our products in future.

After the fair, we also met the Spanish footwear and component association 'aec' at Eiche in Spain. Although Eiche is full of footwear and component manufacturers there is still vast potential to export footwear, components and accessories. We have informed the association of footwear manufacturers to visit the Shoecomp 99 fair at New Delhi.

Participation at Lineapelle and GDS fairs will be very helpful to update ourselves with-the world's latest developments, quality standards and prevailing prices. This will surely change the concept of our future production plans towards global marketing apart from the most needed "awareness" of our present product quality and prices before shoe manufacturers and buyers visiting from all over the world.

Fair Participation is today the only platform to expose our products before the world and make it possible to establish direct contacts with the buyers sourcing shoes from India or other parts of the world and get approval of our components for use in their production. I therefore find our repeated participation and study tours are necessities if we need to build up this sector to an international level by 2002.

Members of IFCOMA will be mounting an important display of their range of products at the forthcoming GDS Shoe and Components Fair being held in September, where India has been provided the pride of place as a Partner Country. Mr. Mani Almal has also underlined the very promising export possibilities that exist in the neighbouring SAARC countries. With virtually no shoe components being manufactured in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and in this region, it is felt that India as a source of supply will be found to be very favourable, considering the proximity and the price factors.

The footwear component industry can justifiably look forward to several new marketing possibilities and various segments of this sector appear to be fully geared to meeting such opportunities.