Agra: The second day of the 17th edition of Meet at Agra, being held at Agra Trade Centre, Singna (Mathura Road), witnessed remarkable enthusiasm and high footfall. A total of 6,922 visitors attended the fair on Saturday, including 3,140 trade visitors, along with a large number of students and budding entrepreneurs eager to explore new opportunities in the footwear sector.
Entrepreneurship at the Forefront
Addressing a seminar at the event, Mr. Vivek Sharma, Managing Director, Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI), said:
“India’s time has arrived. Our youth must shift their focus from seeking jobs to creating them. The country needs job creators, not job seekers.”
He added that FDDI is not just an educational institution, but a school of entrepreneurship that motivates students to become part of the industrial ecosystem.
Industry Confidence High
Mr. Gopal Gupta, President of AFMEC, stated that the fair reflects the strong momentum in the footwear sector and aligns with the vision of a self-reliant India.
“This platform has energized both buyers and suppliers, demonstrating the promising future of the industry,” he said.
He further noted that Meet at Agra has created linkages beyond footwear, benefiting textiles, engineering, electronics, and furniture sectors as well.
Industry Leaders and Global Recognition
The session was also addressed by Mr. Puran Dawar (Chairman, DCFLI & former President, AFMEC), Vice Presidents Rajesh Sehgal and Rajiv Vason, and General Secretary Pradeep Vason.
Mr. Puran Dawar highlighted:
“India is now the world’s third-largest footwear producer. Our next goal is to emerge as a global export powerhouse, with Agra, Kanpur, and South India at the center of this growth.”
For the first time, Meet at Agra honored international buying agents who play a key role in promoting Indian footwear globally.
Among those felicitated were Ravish Pippal, Sachit Kumar, Varun Kochar, Sanjay Tiwari, Pulkit Nijhawan, Dhruv Mahajan, and several others.
Mr. Ravish Pippal remarked:
“Meet at Agra is no longer just a trade fair—it has grown into a global networking platform.”
Financial & MSME Support Sessions — A Key Highlight
Representatives from SBI, ICICI Bank, PNB, and ECGC conducted special sessions for MSMEs.
SBI’s Prabhakar Pandey and Puneet Sharma briefed entrepreneurs about easy-access funding schemes designed especially for small and medium enterprises.
PNB’s Amit Grover (DGM) emphasized collaborative efforts to strengthen the Made in India vision.
ICICI Bank’s Siddharth Rishabh and ECGC’s Rohan Dharnik explained credit insurance and export guarantee solutions.
A special session on Factoring Services was conducted by Anuj Kumar of India Factoring, who explained how MSMEs can convert invoice receivables into immediate working capital.
In the session on Provident Fund, expert Shravan Kumar Mishra discussed compliance norms, worker welfare, and government incentives.
Industry’s Collective Outlook
AFMEC Vice President Rajesh Sehgal said the event strengthened collaboration across policy, production, and marketing.
Mr. Rajiv Vason noted that Agra is emerging as the “Innovation Capital” of the footwear sector.
General Secretary Pradeep Vason highlighted the increasing global stature of the event.
Day Two Key Statistics:
-
Total Visitors: 6,922
-
Trade Visitors: 3,140
-
Student / Future Entrepreneurs: 911
