
Government eases port restriction for leather exporters to enhance trade
New Delhi [India], May 27 (ANI): In a move to facilitate leather traders, the Union Government has removed key procedural restrictions on the export of value-added leather products.
Easing port norms will enhance the export of leather from the country and enhance Ease of Doing Business in India.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has issued a Notification No. 15/2025-26 dated May 26, 2026, removing key procedural restrictions applicable to the export of value-added leather products.This step is expected to reduce compliance burden and improve ease of doing business for exporters, the Commerce Ministry said.
Port restrictions have been withdrawn, allowing export of Finished Leather, Wet Blue Leather, and EI Tanned Leather from any port or Inland Container Depot (ICD).
Earlier, these exports were restricted to specific notified ports. The mandatory requirement for testing and certification by the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) for export of Finished Leather, Wet Blue Leather, Crust Leather, and EI Tanned Leather has also been dispensed with.
These procedural requirements were originally instituted to monitor the export of value-added leather products and distinguish them from raw hides and dutiable items.
However, with the removal of export duties on such leather categories and the clear physical distinction between processed and raw leather, the existing checks were considered redundant.
The decision follows consultations with stakeholders, including the Council for Leather Exports, Leather Exporters and Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI).
It is expected to streamline export procedures, reduce transaction costs, and benefit MSME exporters in particular, the Commerce and Industry Ministry added.
The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) has set a target of USD 47 billion by 2030, of which USD 13.7 billion is for the export sector.
The government has implemented several reforms to boost trade and industry. The Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on wet blue leather has been reduced from 10 per cent to zero, effective 2nd February 2025, addressing a key industry demand, while export duty on crust leather has been eliminated.
The reforms also support India's efforts to enhance export competitiveness in the global leather value chain while maintaining transparency and quality standards under general customs provisions, the Ministry added. (ANI)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Aditya Birla Group acquires Cargill's speciality chemical manufacturing facility in US
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Business conglomerate Aditya Birla Group has acquired Cargill's speciality chemical manufacturing facility in Dalton, a statement on Thursday, the group announced the expansion of its US Advanced Materials business with the acquisition of Cargill Incorporated's 17-acre speciality chemical manufacturing facility in Dalton, acquisition continues Aditya Birla's expansion in the US' manufacturing sector , a key aspect of Aditya Birla's growth strategy, which now totals over USD 15 billion in acquisition was executed through Aditya Birla Chemicals (USA) Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aditya Birla Chemicals (Thailand) Ltd."This acquisition represents Aditya Birla's strategic entry into the US chemicals industry , extending the business model of our other successful manufacturing businesses in the United States, including Novelis and Birla Carbon," said Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group."Our growth strategy in the United States is anchored in a commitment to leverage our deep manufacturing expertise to support the revitalisation of the growing American manufacturing sector. We look forward to investing in and expanding this foundational facility and identifying other strategic assets to drive growth."With this acquisition, the advanced materials business welcomes 50 business plans to expand the facility's current capacity of 16,000 tonnes per year to over 40,000 tonnes over the next two Birla Group will continue to manufacture the plant's current output of formulated resins, curing agents, reactive diluents and polyaspartic resins for the marine, industrial coatings, and flooring industries, which include epoxy resins, modifiers, curing agents, and other specialty chemicals sold under the brands CHEMCURE, ChemMod, Altor, Acme Shield, and it will introduce products for the automotive, renewable energy and aerospace industries, including its patented chemistries to enable recycling of epoxy composites used in wind, sports goods, pressure vessels and other applications."This acquisition reinforces our commitment to expanding our Advanced Materials business in the United States and globally. Establishing a local presence in the US will enable us to serve regional customers more efficiently and collaborate closely to develop tailored solutions."We are excited to leverage this facility to enhance its capabilities and broaden our product offerings for our customers," said Rajesh Balakrishnan, CEO of Aditya Birla Group, Advanced Materials business. PTI


India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Air India scales up Kathmandu, Colombo, Bangkok routes
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): Air India announced on Thursday that it has added more flights to Bangkok, Colombo, and Kathmandu to meet the growing passenger demand. Effective July 7, 2025, Air India will add a sixth daily flight between Delhi and Kathmandu, increasing frequency from 35x weekly to 42x weekly. Air India will add a second daily flight between Delhi and Colombo, doubling the route's frequency from 7x weekly to 14x weekly. The Tata Group airline will add a third daily flight between Mumbai and Bangkok, increasing frequency from 13x weekly to 18x weekly. Air India said in a statement that the expansion will add over 7,000 seats deployed to and from Bangkok, Colombo, and Kathmandu. The additional flights to Kathmandu and Bangkok will be operated by Air India's best narrow-body aircraft in three-class cabin configuration, including Premium Economy Class, offering a premium full-service flying experience to travellers on the routes. 'Air India's flights to Colombo, Kathmandu, and Bangkok provide seamless one-stop connectivity to and from destinations in North America, Europe, and the Far East,' the airline said. With the added frequency, Air India will operate 42x weekly flights to Kathmandu, 28x weekly flights to Colombo, and 46x weekly flights to Bangkok. Bookings for the additional flights are now open on all channels, including Air India's website, mobile app, airport ticketing offices, contact centres, and through all travel agents. Air India group employs more than 30,000 people, operates over 300 aircraft and carries customers to 55 domestic and 48 international destinations across five continents. Returning to the Tata Sons in 2022 following 70 years under Government ownership, Air India group is in the midst of a five-year transformation program, As part of the transformation, Air India has placed an order for 570 new aircraft. In 2024, sister airlines Air Asia India and Vistara were successfully merged into Air India Express and Air India, respectively, and the Airline opened South Asia's largest aviation training academy. A new flying school is scheduled to open in 2025, and construction of a greenfield maintenance base, to be operational in 2026, is underway. In addition to receiving new aircraft, all existing aircraft are progressively undergoing a full interior refit. (ANI)


India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
India supports fair, rule-based global trading system that addresses needs, aspirations of Global South: Om Birla
Brasilia [Brazil], June 5 (ANI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday emphasised the need for a fair and rule-based global trading system while addressing the 2nd Working Session of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Brasilia, an official release said. As per the Release, LS Speaker Om Birla said, 'India supports a fair and rule-based global trading system--one that adequately addresses the needs and aspirations of the Global South.' He added, 'India views the BRICS Parliamentary Forum as a vital platform, where, through shared efforts and dialogue, we can redefine the contours of economic development. This forum further reinforces our commitment to mutual cooperation, solidarity, and the welfare of our citizens.' He added that 'Despite global challenges, BRICS nations have made inspiring progress in the realm of economic development. India believes that to strengthen this progress further, we must enhance intra-BRICS trade, investment, and financial cooperation.' He also said, 'We welcome the recent expansion of the BRICS grouping. This will make our collaboration more inclusive and impactful.' Birla made these remarks while addressing the 2nd Working Session of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum at Brasilia, Brazil, on the theme 'BRICS Parliamentary Action in Search of New Paths for Economic Development.' The statement noted that Birla highlighted India's economic journey in the last decade. Birla said, 'India's economic journey over the past decade has been remarkable. Despite global uncertainties and domestic challenges, India has consistently outperformed the global growth average. Rising from the 10th largest economy in 2014 to the 4th largest today is a testament to India's robust policies and the strength of its people. From 2014-15 to 2024-25, India's GDP has grown at an average rate of over 7 per cent, making it the fastest-growing major economy in the world.' Birla noted, 'India is not only the world's largest and most vibrant democracy but also a nation with stable governance, strong constitutional institutions, the rule of law, a transparent and accountable tax system, and decisive leadership that has earned the trust of global investors.' He mentioned that 'under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's unprecedented progress in infrastructure--water, energy, road and rail connectivity, ports, airports, industrial corridors, and logistics hubs - now defines the New India.' Observing that India's greatest strength is its youthful population, he said, 'Over 65 per cent of Indians are under the age of 35. This youthful energy is propelling India forward--be it in manufacturing, digital technology, healthcare, or green energy. Through programs like Skill India, PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana, and the New National Education Policy, India is skilling its youth under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.' He added, 'At a time when many developed nations face ageing populations and labour shortages, India is emerging as the solution--as the Skill Capital of the World. We are not only meeting domestic needs but also supplying skilled human resources to the world. This is India's strength, our responsibility, and our moment.' Noting India's contribution across several fields, Birla underlined that 'Today, India is established as the Pharmacy of the World--one in every three medicines globally comes from India. Additionally, India is a global leader in IT services, has the third-largest startup ecosystem, and is at the forefront in mobile phone manufacturing, digital payments, space technology, and renewable energy.' He also said that, 'In the era of Industry 4.0, technology can be a powerful medium for inclusive and sustainable development. Initiatives like Digital India, Start-up India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat are successful models in this direction. Platforms like Unified Payments Interface (UPI), JAM Trinity, and e-NAM have transformed citizens' lives and serve as inspirational models for BRICS.' Birla also said that, 'India has also undertaken significant reforms in taxation. The recently presented Income-tax Bill, 2025, is a major step towards a transparent and effective tax regime.' The statement also mentioned Birla, who said, 'We are concerned that the representation of developing countries in international institutions remains inadequate. This imbalance hampers global equity and balanced development. Therefore, BRICS countries must collectively make concrete efforts to enhance the participation of the Global South in such institutions.' He added that, 'Global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic have disproportionately affected the Global South. Challenges related to health, food, and energy security have intensified. Without concrete and coordinated action, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will remain difficult.' As per the statement, on the opening day of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum, the Lok Sabha Speaker held a bilateral meeting with the President of the Federal Senate of Brazil, Sen. Davi Alcolumbre. He mentioned that, 'Both countries have been partners on the global stage. Our bilateral relations have developed on the basis of shared democratic values, peace, cooperation, sustainable development, and common objectives.' Noting that in today's era, terrorism is the biggest threat to global peace and stability, Birla said that 'The recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, India, in which 26 innocent civilians were brutally killed, has shaken not only India but also the conscience of the entire world.' He also added that, 'Pakistan has failed to take concrete action against the terrorist infrastructure operating from its territory; India exercised its right to respond, to prevent such cross-border attacks in the future, and to defend itself.' On Operation Sindoor, Birla said that 'these steps were measured, non-provocative, proportionate, and responsible. Their sole objective was to destroy terrorist infrastructure and neutralise the capabilities of terrorists.' He said that 'Today's India is firmly committed to a policy of zero tolerance towards all forms of terrorism and gives a strong response to every terrorist attack.' The statement highlighted that on the sidelines of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also held a bilateral meeting with the President of the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil, Hugo Motta. Birla observed that 'India and Brazil are natural partners. Both countries have, from time to time, provided direction and momentum to their bilateral relations through high-level dialogues.' He added that, 'There is extensive collaboration between the two countries in areas such as defence, technology, space, energy, and culture. The special session organised by the Brazilian Congress in 2022 on the occasion of 75 years of India's independence is a testament to our special friendship.' Birla hoped that 'India and Brazil can jointly promote innovation in emerging areas such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, health technology, and cybersecurity, and can set an example for the countries of the Global South.' (ANI)