Ramesh Juneja takes over as CLE Chairman

Ramesh Juneja has assumed charge as the new Chairman of the Council for Leather Exports (CLE), the apex body representing India’s leather and footwear export sector, the council said on Tuesday.

Juneja replaces Kanpur-based exporter R K Jalan at the helm of the organisation. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Vice-Chairman of CLE. He is also the promoter of the Kolkata-based JC Group, a well-known player in the leather industry.

The leadership change comes at a time when India’s leather and footwear exports are showing modest growth amid global economic challenges. During the April–November 2025 period, the country’s leather and footwear exports stood at USD 3.3 million, registering a year-on-year growth of around 1 per cent.

India’s exports in this sector remain heavily dependent on a few key markets. The European Union accounts for nearly 55 per cent of total exports, while the United States contributes about 22 per cent. The remaining 23 per cent is exported to markets including the UK, Australia, Canada, Russia, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and countries in North Africa.

Currently, India accounts for approximately 2.3 per cent of global leather and footwear imports. Global imports of leather and footwear during January–November 2025 are estimated at USD 244 billion, with the EU and the US being the largest importers, accounting for 40 per cent and 17 per cent respectively.

Looking ahead, CLE said that bilateral trade agreements with the EU and the US could significantly boost exports. Such agreements could help India’s leather and footwear exports, including non-leather footwear and goods, grow from the current level of around USD 5.5 billion to nearly USD 14 billion over the next three to five years.