The event titled “Shaping the future of Vietnam–India leather and footwear cooperation” attracted representatives from management agencies, industry associations, research institutes and businesses from both countries.

In his opening speech, Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in India Bui Trung Thuong said the leather and footwear sector plays an important role in economic growth, exports and job creation in both countries. He noted that Vietnam and India are highly complementary, with India strong in raw materials and Vietnam standing out in manufacturing and exports, opening up opportunities for effective cooperation across global value chains.

Tran Xuan Thuy from the Agency for Industry under the Ministry of Industry and Trade said Vietnam is shifting from processing to design, brand building and deeper participation in value chains through policies on industrial development, innovation and digital transformation. He proposed establishing a ministry-level bilateral cooperation mechanism, strengthening business linkages and encouraging Indian investment in supporting industries in Vietnam.

From the Indian side, Sanjay Gupta of the Indian Footwear Components Manufacturers Association said the country’s leather and footwear sector is growing rapidly, targeting a market size of US$50 billion by 2030. He said the current period offers a good opportunity for both sides to expand joint ventures, technology transfer and production cooperation, thereby forming a sustainable manufacturing ecosystem serving the  global market.

Renu Sharma from the Footwear Design and Development Institute highlighted cooperation potential in training, research and innovation, particularly through student and faculty exchanges, joint training programs and coordinated research.

Meanwhile, Gopal Gupta, President of the Agra Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Chamber invited Vietnamese businesses to attend the “Meet at Agra Fair” in early October as a platform to connect and explore cooperation opportunities in materials and supporting industries.

At the seminar, participants exchanged views on market information, industry trends and specific areas of cooperation, ranging from building supply chains for materials and components, attracting investment, to training and developing a high-quality workforce. Many businesses expressed interest in forming partnerships, joint ventures and expanding into each other’s markets.

Concluding the event, representatives of the Vietnam Trade Office in India said the office will continue to act as a bridge, working with associations, businesses and organizations from both countries to provide market information, support partner matching, facilitate trade promotion and implement specific cooperation activities. These efforts aim to make Vietnam-India leather and footwear cooperation more substantive, effective and sustainable.

Vietnam and India are among Asia’s leading centers for footwear production and consumption, with huge potential for cooperation in materials, design, workforce training and international market expansion.

Vietnam is currently the world’s third-largest producer and second-largest exporter of footwear, while India ranks second in both production and consumption, accounting for about 9% of global output. India’s domestic market is expected to continue strong growth on the back of rising demand and policies supporting production.

Vietnam, India step up cooperation in electronics, IT

The Embassy of Vietnam in India, in coordination with relevant partners, on March 23 organised the Vietnam–India Electronics and IT Business Forum 2026 in New Delhi, bringing together more than 100 enterprises and over 20 leading trade and industry associations from both countries.