"More than five lakh people are directly involved in shoe manufacturing and in such a situation, getting a GI tag will give Agra shoes a different place in the world," Mohammed Sharif Kala told India Today in an Interview.
Agra has been a thriving hub of numerous independent shoemakers who contribute about 65% of the total domestic demand which offers a whopping 28% of India’s total footwear export.
With this GI Tag, exports are likely to increase and there will be extensive employment in the coming years. Agra leather footwear in the near future will play a more strong role while representing a self-reliant India.
This age-old art began in the Mughal period and new methods of refining leather were introduced. Today, As this small city is gradually growing towards development with new plans it’s another immense success for the city. In over 500 years, This footwear Industry is doing business for approximately 25,000 crores per year, and shoes worth about 4 to 5 crores are exported to countries around the world, including Europe,"
"With the cooperation of NABARD UP and the state government, 2 handicrafts of the state, Agra leather footwear (GI registration number-721), and Jalesar metal craft (GI registration number-722) got GI tag status," said GI expert Padmashree Rajinikanth.
After a long legal process, Agra's leather footwear received the GI label after the AFMEC applied for GI certification in December 2020.
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