Andhra Chamber of Commerce organises National Conference on Quality/Technical Standards for Global Business
- R Selvam IAS, Executive Director, Council For Leather Exports Inaugurates the Conference
- A much needed awareness programme aims to tap the untapped areas across sectors and move towards the development of various businesses through a combined approach
Chennai, February 23, 2024: “National Conference on Quality / Technical Standards for Global Business”, a one day national conference was inaugurated by Thiru R Selvam IAS, Executive Director, Council for Leather Exports (CLE) @ Hotel Ramada Plaza, Chennai by light Kuthuvilakku in the esteemed presence of:
- Dr. V L Indira Dutt, President, Andhra Chamber of Commerce
- Dr. M K Muthuvelu, Vice President, Andhra Chamber of Commerce
- Mr. Narasimhan, Vice President, Andhra Chamber of Commerce
- Mr. Ramesh Prasad, Treasurer, AISHTMA
- Ms. Raghini Peter, Secretary General, Andhra Chamber of Commerce
- Ms. Rama Venugopal, Chairman Sub Committee on Standards & Regulations, Andhra Chamber of Commerce
Ms. Raghini Peter, Secretary General, ACC commenced the event by highlighting the importance of hosting “National Conference on Quality / Technical Standards for Global Business”. This was followed by remarkable speeches from international experts, government policy makers, regulatory bodies, sector professionals, companies, researchers, financial community and more under one roof, resulting in South India’s most comprehensive and productive conference.
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Shri R Selvam IAS, Executive Director, Council for Leather Exports (CLE) said “Tamil Nadu Footwear & Leather Products Policy 2022 is currently under implementation and it has proven to be a boon to the footwear industry as the Tamil Nadu has attracted investments from several leading non-leather footwear manufacturers in Taiwan to set up their factories in Tamil Nadu to produce the Sports Footwear (non-leather footwear manufacturing) on mass scale. Feng Tay Enterprises (Taiwan based company) and Kothari-Phoenix Group already invested in Tamil Nadu. High Glory Footwear, a subsidiary of the world's largest contract manufacturer of branded athletic and casual footwear Pou Chen and Hong Fu industrial group have pledged their investments and are in the process of setting up their manufacturing operations in various parts of Tamil Nadu. These new investments will generate additional employment opportunities and livelihood to the local people, and state already accounts for about 40% share in the national exports from Leather & footwear industry and it is a certainty that Tamil Nadu will now be part of the global supply chain for sport shoes brands Nike, Adidas etc.”
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| (L to R) Narasimhan, Vice President, Andhra Chamber of Commerce; Dr. V L Indira Dutt, President, Andhra Chamber of Commerce; R Selvam IAS, Executive Director, Council for Leather Exports (CLE); Dr. M K Muthuvelu, Vice President, Andhra Chamber of Commerce; Ramesh Prasad, Treasurer, AISHTMA |
Ms. Rama Venugopal, Chairman Sub Committee on Standards & Regulations, Andhra Chamber of Commerce said, “India has a tremendous growth potential and our National Conference on quality / technical standards play an important role in boosting numerous opportunities by creating a widespread awareness of the opportunities India has to offer in both trade and business.”
The National Conference addressed the significance and various issues faced by the industry across sectors. Some of the key highlights of the sessions:
Session on Gems & Jewellery
The session highlighted India’s first bullion exchange, a latest gateway for gold imports to India, the India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX) is set up in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFTTEC). Also, covered the following topics:
- IIBX Qualified Jewelers; DGFT had issued instructions – Qualified jewelers, so specified by International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) can import gold through IIBX
- Responsible Sourcing, Supply Chain Integrity
- Gold & Silver Trading in IIBX
- Gold, Jewellery Regulations – Quality Control Orders, Quality Assurance and Standardization from Bureau of Indian Standards
- Standards & Certifications - Business Enablers and Market Access requirements
- International Trade opportunities for businesses in this domain
The exchange would let Indian jewellers trade on the exchange and set up the infrastructure for storing bullion in the form of ingots, bars or coins. Jewellers and dealers can register with the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to trade on the exchange. These jewellers would be known as qualified jewellers.
Session on Agri & Food products
The session focused on various International Product Standards, Private Schemes, Testing requirements to be followed by the Food and Agri businesses to get qualified for export to various international markets. Also, covered the following:
- IndGAP Certified Scheme which was developed by the QCI to promote Good Agriculture Practices in India. The scheme is aligned as per ISO 17065, the international standard for product / process certification, complete with certification and accreditation framework. INDGAP Certification is globally recognized
- Outline for the legal framework in Europe for food products, importance of accreditation of certification and testing Global framework; IAF & ILAC, Introduction to Standards & Schemes; ISO, GFSI Special requirements for food with regards to safety, retail specifications, NGOs, Organic etc.
India exports its agricultural and processed food products to around 200 nations. Exporters need to project a good image of the country to promote exports across the globe. Maintaining and enduring relationship with foreign buyers is of utmost importance and complaints or trade disputes, whenever they arise, need to be addressed / settled amicably as early as possible.
Quality and Standards: Maintaining consistent quality and meeting on par with international standards for agricultural products will be a significant challenge. Variability in quality and compliance issues can hinder exports.
APEDA is responsible for promoting the export of scheduled products and provides guidelines for sustainability, quality and certification requirements for exporters.
Session on Footwear & Leather products:
The session’s focus is to sensitize the industry in the following lines:
- Sustainable future for Leather and Footwear industry, Regulations; BIS, Quality Control Orders, Product Testing Norms – International Trade
The Indian footwear market, currently valued at $26 billion, expected to reach $90 billion by 2030. A significant shift in leather shoe production is happening due to government regulations and quality control orders (QCOs) that are introduced in the country recently.
Increase in non-leather footwear demand (sports shoes, running shoes, casual wear and sneakers) increasing from 25% to 75% market share by 2030. The increasing preference for non-leather footwear, influenced by younger, fashion-conscious customers with more disposable income is the reason for this demand for non-leather footwear demand.
India’s global share in non-leather footwear is pretty low. The industry faces challenges in expanding its presence in this category, which dominates the global trade. However, there are plenty of opportunities for growth, especially in non-leather footwear, with a focus on quality, design and technological advancement to make this sector a global leader for non-leather footwear products etc.
Our sessions have opened many eyes today especially after hearing the industry leaders from across sectors voicing their opinions and concerns. The support provided by our Chief Guest, Thiru R Selvam IAS, Executive Director, Council for Leather Exports (CLE) and from the Centre and State Governments are the strong source behind the success of our conference. The sponsors of the conference have been the constant force for putting up this epic conference should also be appreciated.
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