Government to launch fashion training centre in Kanpur Leather Cluster (#1686688)

The Government of India plans to set up a leather fashion training centre and design studio in Kanpur in the city’s Leather Cluster complex. The project is designed to boost the area’s leather production industry and encourage innovation. 

The Kanpur Leather Cluster has been given the go ahead to begin its industry project by Exim Bank of India, the Times of India reported. The development is part of the Grassroots Initiative for Development Programme and comes under the aegis of the government’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s District Export Hub Scheme. 

The project is designed to both develop the area’s leather industry and provide opportunities to youths in the region. The design studio will collaborate with the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Raebareli to offer fashion design courses and the project will make available technology such as 3D last scanners and 3D printers among others. 

The Kanpur Leather Cluster in Uttar Pradesh includes close to 2,500 micro, small, and medium sized businesses which produce leather products ranging from footwear and handbags to saddlery and safety footwear among others. The cluster is a significant employer in the region and provides direct employment to around two lakh households. The majority of the Kanpur Leather Cluster’s products are exported out of India and the area’s turnover is approximately Rs 9,000 crore.