Agra, : The seventeenth edition of the popular footwear trade fair, ‘Meet at Agra,’ began on a high note with the traditional sounding of the conch and bell. The event was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister for Industrial Development, Export Promotion, NRI & Investment Promotion, Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi,’ at the Agra Trade Center, Singna Village, Mathura Road. Senior industry figures, including CLEK Chairman Rajendra Kumar Jalan and UP Small Industries Corporation Chairman Rakesh Garg, attended as distinguished guests.
Minister Nandi emphasized that the state government is serious about implementing the Single Window Act to resolve investors’ issues efficiently. “A dedicated software is being developed to address all investor concerns on one platform, and the results will be visible soon,” he said. The minister assured that officials have been instructed to fully support investors until industries are successfully established, including in the TTZ (Taj Trapezium Zone) area.
Highlighting the state’s industrial progress since 2017, Nandi mentioned that nearly ₹4,000 crore in incentives has already been distributed. He added that seven new expressways are under construction in Uttar Pradesh, which will soon have the largest share of the country’s total 50 expressways. The upcoming Jewar Airport inauguration is also underway, with Prime Minister’s presence being sought.
Industry Leaders Demand Reforms
Central Footwear & Leather Development Council Chairman and former FMEK President Puran Dawar pointed out that the footwear sector generates the maximum employment and praised collective efforts that have strengthened traditional clusters. He urged the government to move all 13 existing NOCs online through the single-window system and simplify agricultural land acquisition. Dawar also highlighted the need to remove restrictions in the TTZ and improve testing labs and design facilities at the Agra Trade Center.
Rajendra Kumar Jalan, President of the Leather Export Council, stressed the need to improve the supply chain ecosystem for better export performance. He noted that footwear accounts for 67% of global products sold, while Indian exports of footwear lag behind. Agra’s footwear export is approximately ₹3,800 crore. Jalan recommended skill development via foreign trainers and appreciated the recently implemented footwear policy in Uttar Pradesh, which includes land grants, five-year return on capital investment, and environmental ‘white category’ classification, eliminating the need for NOCs.
Exhibition Sees Strong Footfall on Day One
The first day of ‘Meet at Agra’ saw significant enthusiasm from both industry professionals and the general public. According to organizers:
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Total Visitors: 5,254
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Trade Visitors: 2,871
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Future Entrepreneurs (Students/Startups): 840
Participants showed keen interest in the latest designs, technologies, and machinery displayed at the exhibition.
Awards Recognize Excellence
On the closing day, awards were presented to outstanding industrial units and entrepreneurs:
Export Excellence Awards:
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Chetan Gupta, Gupta Overseas
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Gautam Mehra, Liner Shoes
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Ajit Kalsi, Metro & Metro
Special Excellence Awards:
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Lifetime Achievement Award: Jasvinder Singh Kheda, Jas Exports
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Best Women Entrepreneur (Footwear): Mala Kheda
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Component Sector Best Women Entrepreneur: Renuka Dang
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Component Sector Excellence Award: Gautam Manchanda
Focus on Finance, Banking, and Provident Fund in Day Two Seminar
The second day will feature a seminar covering factoring, banking, provident fund, and ECGC (Export Credit Guarantee Corporation). Experts will guide MSMEs on converting invoices into immediate cash, managing financial risks, export credit guarantees, international payment security, and PF compliance. The session aims to strengthen industrial financial management and maximize government schemes.
FMEK President Gopal Gupta stated that the seminar will benefit not only the footwear sector but also textiles, engineering, electronics, furniture, and other export units.
