The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) is hosting the 6th edition of the Delhi International Leather Expo (DILEX) – Reverse Buyer Seller Meet (RBSM) on February 20-21, 2025, at the India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC), Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi. The event is supported by the Government of India under the Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme and aims to boost India's presence in the global leather and footwear markets.
This year’s edition marks a significant expansion, with around 225 Indian exhibitors presenting their latest collections over an 8,000-square-meter exhibition area—an increase from the previous edition. The event has also gained wider international reach, with over 200 buyers from 52 countries, including major markets in Europe and the U.S. This surge in participation reflects the growing global interest in India's leather products.
Additionally, over 500 domestic representatives from buying houses, retailers, and trade buyers will engage in extensive networking opportunities during the event, which will be held in Hall 1B at IICC, a world-class venue.
During the inauguration, Vimal Anand, Joint Secretary of the Department of Commerce, highlighted the significance of the event as a landmark in India’s trade journey. He noted that the country's leather and footwear industry has demonstrated exceptional resilience in the post-COVID recovery phase, expanding exports and positioning India to achieve its target of USD 7 billion for FY 2025-26.
He emphasized that India’s favorable policies, such as import duty exemptions on wet blue leather and enhanced credit guarantees for MSMEs, place the nation in an advantageous position to capitalize on emerging global opportunities, particularly in the wake of geopolitical shifts and changes in the market dynamics.
RK Jalan, Chairman of the Council for Leather Exports, emphasized the importance of DILEX 2025 in opening doors for the global leather and footwear sector amidst a changing geopolitical landscape. He pointed out that India's leather industry had shown resilience, with consistent growth despite challenges such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and changing trade dynamics due to factors like the Trump Tariff era and China’s trade policies. With a positive growth trajectory, the industry aims to meet the Department of Commerce’s target and position India as one of the top 5 global exporters by FY 2025-26.
As India continues to expand its influence in the global leather and footwear market, DILEX 2025 serves as a vital platform for fostering international trade and partnerships. The event facilitates direct one-on-one business meetings between manufacturers and global buyers, offering an opportunity to explore sourcing alternatives.
With India emerging as a key "China Plus One" sourcing destination, DILEX 2025 reaffirms the country’s commitment to innovation, sustainable growth, and leadership in the leather and footwear sectors.
