New Delhi, Mar 4 (KNN) Footwear giant Bata India has voiced its support for a Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in the footwear sector, emphasising its potential to boost manufacturing, increase exports, and position India as a key player in global supply chains.

Gunjan Shah, Managing Director and CEO of Bata India, highlighted the company’s engagement with the government regarding this initiative.

“We have been engaging with the government on this and are looking forward to a positive announcement. They have also given some initial signs of that in this year’s Union Budget announcements,” Shah stated.

The PLI scheme, which has been successfully implemented in sectors like electronics and pharmaceuticals, aims to incentivise domestic manufacturing and attract investments.

Industry leaders believe that extending this scheme to the footwear sector will enhance India’s competitiveness, reduce dependence on imports, and create employment opportunities.

With a robust domestic market and a growing demand for “Made in India” products globally, stakeholders see this as the right time to strengthen the supply chain ecosystem.

Bata India, along with other players in the footwear industry, is optimistic that government support will pave the way for a more resilient and globally integrated footwear sector.

The industry now awaits an official policy announcement that could mark a new chapter for Indian footwear manufacturing.

(KNN Bureau)