Punjab has taken a significant step towards strengthening its sports goods, footwear and leather manufacturing ecosystem by signing a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with the Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI), a premier central institution of national importance. The agreement, signed by the state’s Industries and Commerce Department, aims to provide industries in these sectors with access to modern testing infrastructure, skilled manpower, design and innovation support, and stronger market linkages.

 

The partnership is expected to boost the competitiveness of Punjab-based micro, small and medium enterprises, or MSMEs, by enabling them to integrate with national and global supply chains and expand their export footprint. The MoU was signed by Director, Industries and Commerce, Jaspreet Singh, and Managing Director of FDDI, Vivek Sharma. The initiative is expected to support industrial growth, promote innovation and create new opportunities for employment and exports in the state.