IFCOMA in its endeavor to reach out to the smallest of Footwear Artisans organized an exhibition cum Buyers Seller Meet at Saharanpur on 10th March 2002. This was the 12th meet in the series of events conducted by IFCOMA so far. The venue for the BSM, Saharanpur Footwear Design & Development Institute, Mandi Shivpuri Opposite Miglani Building, was chosen because it is the heart of the Footwear Manufacturing cluster of Saharanpur.

The BSM was inaugurated by Smt. Aradhna Shukla (IAS), DM -Saharanpur who highly appreciated the efforts of IFCOMA and hoped that the event will be of immense help in upgrading the quality and value of the Footwear being made by the artisans. She asked the shoe manufacturers to "take advantage such exhibitions and upgrade themselves to create a brand image of Made in Saharanpur"and market them in India and for export.

She also requested IFCOMA to hold this event in larger premises and with maximum display of Component Manufacturers next year.

Shri Mani Almal president IFCOMA in his welcome address informed that very object of organising BSM at different places of footwear manufacturers is to reach there and "create awareness of latest development in the components & accessories and the direct linkage between the buyers and sellers". This is the first step required for brining revolution and it has shown results in other part of the country. It was "amazing to see the workmanship and few exporters of footwear from Saharanpur area" Mr Almal said.

Shri Sanjay Gupta (Vice President IFCOMA ) informed of the activities of BSM in India and abroad and thanked the honorable guest, the footwear association and the media for their support in organising the event. He assured for larger event in future in his vote of thanks address during the inaugural function. The one-day meet attracted more than 300 artisans from the region. The visitors were highly impressed by

the Component on display and requested IFCOMA to make arrangements by having suitable distributors/ dealers or a components display cum market centre so that they could be easily available to them at competitive prices.

Later during the intercative meeting with the footwear industry, IFCOMA confirmed to invite 50 artisans to the Delhi International Leather Fair in April at its cost in order to give them a wider exposure to the latest developments in the footwear industry.

It is suggested that the event should be held yearly and component manufacturers should make suitable arrangements for the availability of their products in Saharanpur as the region has a very high potential of growth having more than 1000 artisans making all kinds of footwear, mainly ladies.