I thank the "Indian Footwear Components Manufacturers Association" from the core of my heart for having honored me by Inviting me to this Buyers-Sellers Meet cum Exhibition and also for providing me this wonderful opportunity to share some of my thoughts and experience with you all.
I would also like to take the opportunity to thank all of you for participating in this meet, in a large number, which I am sure will be a landmark in the history of development of footwear Industry in this part of the world.
West Bengal, as we all know, has been the mother of organized footwear trade in India. During the seventies Calcutta was the main manufacturing center for footwear items in Leather, Rubber and other allied items. But gradually because of socio-economic reasons most of the organised footwear trade shifted from Calcutta to other places like Kanpur, Agra, Chennai and Delhi.
Friends, let us all pledge together, that we will make this meet cum exhibition a grand success. To do so we have a right mix or knowledge, enterprise and youth In ourselves. What we lack in is (1) infrastructure and (2) willingness. However, we will take this opportunity to lay the foundation for providing adequate infrastructure and motivation, so that we can again become leaders in the footwear industry.
I am requesting the seller, those who have given stall with their products, to have in mind that they should market their products amongst the Calcutta manufacturers here. In this connection may I request them to negotiate or establish proper dealership for the smooth availability of their products in Calcutta.
To the participants representing the buyers side, I would only say to have an open mind & take the challenges as opportunity. They should always be ready to upgrade themselves in order to become competitive in today's global economy and be a part of the new generation of entrepreneurs.
Last but the most important thing in today's competitive world is "Customer Orientation" without which no business will make it big.
With this, I wish you all success in business and life arid hope that our joint initiatives will definitely benefit the footwear Industry.
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