Move to enhance production, benefit consumers

Govt incentives for footwear and leather goods

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

The Government has offered many incentives for the footwear and leather goods industry.

It has encouraged local manufacturers to enhance production benefiting the consumers, said Chairman, Footwear Advisory Council, Ministry of Industrial Development Ranjith Hettiarachchi.

A cess of Rs.400 has been imposed on imported shoes and Rs. 30 on a pair of shoe soles. "This encourages local manufacturers and also new entrants to the footwear market. The standard of the products manufactured by local manufacturers is of high quality and there is a growing demand by consumers.

"Most of our products match international standards and this has created a good demand", he said.

The Government has focused on providing training facilities for the industry-related manpower and has sent two batches of twenty designers and production workers to India to improve their skills and capabilities. The industry is progressing well and we need to sustain the demand, he said.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board in collaboration with the Ministry of Industrial Development, Industrial Development Board, Sri Lanka Footwear Association and Sri Lanka Small and Medium Footwear and Leather Goods Manufacturers Association has organized a "Footwear and Leather Fair 2009" to be held from November 24-26.

The exhibition will be a boost to local manufacturers as they could showcase their products to a larger market.

It will also facilitate new market opportunities for Sri Lanka as well as internationally, said President, Small and Medium Footwear and Leather Goods Manufacturers Association S.A. Sirisena. "Our manufacturers produce a variety of footwear products including men's slippers, shoes, bridal shoes, sandals and children's footwear. The support given by the Government by imposing the cess has a positive impact on the industry, he said.

The Association has appealed to the Government to remove the cess tax imposed on PVC leather cloth and ready-made soles for the industry to progress further.