A key meeting was held between senior government officials and Indian leather and footwear industry representatives on 18 June 2025 at the Secretariat, Chennai to discuss the current state of the leather and footwear industry in Tamil Nadu.
As President of the Indian Shoe Federation, Mr.Aqeel Panaruna highlighted the major needs of the sector skill development, women’s employment, and educational programs all of which are crucial for the industry’s long-term growth.
The meeting saw participation and support from top officials of Government of Tamil Nadu:
• Thiru Atul Anand, IAS – Principal Secretary, MSME
• Thiru K. Veera Raghava Rao, IAS – Secretary, Labour Welfare & Skill Development
The industry is a major part of Tamil Nadu’s economy, and this meeting signals a strong partnership between the government and private sector to make it even stronger.