Hyderabad, Feb. 21 -- union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy on Saturday said that India has emerged as the second-largest footwear producer in the world, with an annual production of over 2.5 billion pairs and a market size ranging between USD 26 billion and USD 30 billion.
Addressing the 5th Convocation of the Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI) at the LIDCOP NILEX Campus in Gachibowli here, the Minister, who attended the event as chief guest, said the footwear and leather sector provides employment to around 4.5 million people, largely through MSMEs, and plays a key role in exports and livelihoods.
Congratulating the graduating students and faculty, Kishan Reddy said FDDI has been instrumental in skill development, set...