Local footwear industry aims at European Market

COLOMBO: The Industrial Development Ministry will provide every assistance to the local footwear manufacturers' programme to win over the European market, said Industrial Development Minister Kumara Welgama.

The Minister was addressing the leading footwear and raw material manufacturers and importers at the Ministry auditorium.

The Ministry will establish 1,000 small-scale industries and 50 large-scale industries under this new development programme.

The programmes include the manufacturing of footwear according to the modern designs, acceleration of the Puttlam leather tanning project and the establishing of a raw material and large-scale footwear showroom and a sales complex.

We could start 50 large-scale factories and another 1,000 small-scale factories with this project. This programme, would be beneficial to the country. "A large number of employment opportunities could be provided.

If this programme is systematically and regularly implemented the target of winning the European market could undoubtedly be reached, he said.