Italian help to set up leather clusters in near Kanpur
2 November 2012This December, a delegation of Italian leather entrepreneurs will visit Kanpur and Hardoi to extend their help in setting up of mega leather clusters in the two districts.Ramaipur village under Bidhnoo development block in Kanpur and Sandeela in Hardoi districts have been identified for the establishment of the new leather clusters.
The Italian entrepreneurs would not only update their Indian counterparts about modern techniques but also know-how from the industry.
An Indian delegation headed by Dr Anil Kumar Gupta, Chairman UPSIDC and Commissioner Industrial Development recently returned a four-day tour of Italy in October.
The central Indian government plans to set up the clusters for the leather industry as it has great potential for export, and will spend Rs1.5 billion (US$2.7 million) on each mega cluster.
The state government had also sanctioned the two leather clusters at Kanpur and Hardoi as identified by UPSIDC. An investment to the tune of Rs 2000 crore (US$37.2 million) is proposed in those clusters.
UPSIDC already had land in Sandeela which it has developed for the purpose. Only setting up of the industrial unit remains. In Kanpur, the corporation identified an area of around 600 acres near Ramaipur village and proceedings to acquire it are on.
Sources revealed that the delegation which visited Italy had met Italian leather entrepreneurs and also held a meeting with the Italian leather council (UNIC) and Assomac.
The delegation had assessed and visited treatment plants installed in the country and discussed the latest technology in use. The delegation had also visited a cluster of 300 leather units in Italy (Arzignano) and studied the work culture and industrial products.
Alok Kumar, secretary to chief minister, Manoj Kumar Singh, Managing Director UPSIDC and Mukul Singhal, Principal Secretary small scale industries were part of the delegation.
