Council For Leather Exports
The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) is an apex Export Promotion Council established in 1984 under India's Ministry of Commerce & Industry, serving Indian leather, footwear, and leather products exporters through certification services, government scheme administration, trade fair organization, and policy advocacy from its Chennai headquarters and six regional offices.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersChennai, India
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Council For Leather Exports does
The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) is an apex trade promotion organization established in 1984 and sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. Headquartered in Chennai with six regional offices across India's major leather manufacturing clusters (Kanpur, Agra, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi), CLE serves as the sole Export Promotion Council for the Indian leather and leather products industry. Its functional mandate covers four broad activities: (1) issuance of statutory trade certificates — Export Performance Certificates (0.04% of FOB value), Import Certificates (2% of CIF value), and Certificates of Origin via ICEGATE Swift 2.0 integration; (2) administration of government schemes including the Rs.1,700 crore IFLDP 2021-26 program and its IDLS sub-scheme, in coordination with FDDI, CLRI, and SIDBI; (3) trade fair and event management, including the India International Leather Fair and participant mobilization for international fairs (APLF Hong Kong, MICAM/MIPEL Milan, Expo Riva Schuh); and (4) policy advocacy and industry representation on regulatory issues such as EUDR and US tariff impacts.
CLE is not a commercial enterprise and does not generate meaningful commercial revenue; its operating model is government-sponsored with marginal supplemental income from transaction fees and annual membership dues. Its customer base is the Indian leather export industry — predominantly MSMEs and mid-market manufacturers across the tannery, footwear, leather garments, and saddlery & harness sectors. The industry itself ranks among India's top 10 foreign exchange earners, though recent geopolitical and trade shocks (50% US tariffs causing Rs.1,500 crore in cancelled orders in Kanpur, projected 40% export decline from West Asia shipping disruption, and 50-60% input cost inflation) are pressuring member exporters. Leadership is currently led by Chairman Ramesh Kumar Juneja (also serving as voice on EUDR concerns), Executive Director R. Selvam (IAS), and Vice Chairman Mukhtarul Amin (elected March 2026), with a proposed corporate renaming to 'Council for Footwear & Leather Exports' under member consultation since May 2025.
Council For Leather Exports firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Council For Leather Exports
- Legal name
- Council for Leather Exports
- Website
- https://leatherindia.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) is an apex Export Promotion Council established in 1984 under India's Ministry of Commerce & Industry, serving Indian leather, footwear, and leather products exporters through certification services, government scheme administration, trade fair organization, and policy advocacy from its Chennai headquarters and six regional offices.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Council For Leather Exports industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Leather Export Trade Promotion Services
- NAICS
- Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing (316)
- SIC
- Leather & Leather Products (3100), Wholesale-Durable Goods, Nec (5099)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fair Trade & Ethical Supply Chains (Certification, Traceability, Producer Support) (BPAGALAL)
Keywords
Where Council For Leather Exports is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chennai
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices7 records
Markets served
Council For Leather Exports business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Export Promotion Services: CLE provides export facilitation services including issuance of Export Performance Certificates (EPC), Import Certificates, and certificates of origin. The council also facilitates Duty Free Import Scheme (DFIS) for member exporters.
- Trade Fairs and Events: CLE organizes India International Leather Fair and facilitates participation in international exhibitions under MAI scheme, providing market access support to exporters.
- Government Sponsored Operations: CLE is sponsored by Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, and implements government schemes including IFLDP, IDLS, and other export promotion programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Service charges for Export Performance Certificate issuance |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Service charges for Import Certificate issuance |
| Subscription | Annual | Membership fee structure |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Council For Leather Exports product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) is the apex government-sponsored trade promotion organization for India's leather, footwear, and leather products industry. It issues Export Performance Certificates, Import Certificates, Certificates of Origin, and RCMC for member exporters; administers export promotion schemes including IFLDP 2021-26, IDLS, DFIS, and the Market Access Initiative (MAI); and organizes the annual India International Leather Fair along with participation in international exhibitions and buyer-seller meets. Its services are directed at Indian leather and footwear manufacturers and exporters to support export growth, modernization, and policy advocacy.
Product overview
The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) is a trade promotion organization sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, established in 1984. CLE does not offer a technology product or platform in the traditional sense; rather, it provides trade facilitation services to leather and leather products exporters in India. Key services include issuance of various certificates (Export Performance Certificates, Import Certificates, Textile Certificates, Certificates of Origin), administration of government schemes such as the Indian Footwear & Leather Development Programme (IFLDP) and Duty Free Import Scheme (DFIS), organizing trade fairs and buyer-seller meets, providing industry data and publications, maintaining a members directory, and conducting webinars and industry outreach events. The organization operates regional offices across India (Chennai, New Delhi, Kanpur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Agra, Jalandhar) to serve exporters.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Export Performance Certificate (EPC) Issuance Government-recognized certification service issued by CLE for member exporters, validating export performance of leather and leather products for purposes of duty drawback, MEIS benefits, and other export incentive schemes. Charged at 0.04% of FOB value, subject to minimum Rs. 4,000 for members.
- Import Certificate (IC) Issuance Certification service for member leather exporters importing raw materials and components under schemes such as the Duty Free Import Scheme (DFIS). Charged at 2% of CIF value, subject to minimum Rs. 200 per certificate.
- Certificate of Origin (Non-Preferential)
Companies that use Council For Leather Exports
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Council For Leather Exports technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Council For Leather Exports partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI)coreFDDI serves as Project Implementation Unit (PIU) for the Integrated Development of Leather Sector (IDLS) sub-scheme under IFLDP. CLE collaborates with FDDI for release of financial assistance to sanctioned units through identified nationalized banks.
- CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI)coreCLRI serves as Project Implementation Unit (PIU) for tanneries under the IDLS sub-scheme. CLE coordinates with CLRI for technology upgradation and modernization support in leather processing.
- DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade)coreDPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, is the implementing authority for IFLDP 2021-26. CLE acts as facilitation agency for the scheme, receiving applications and coordinating with DPIIT for scheme implementation.
- DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade)coreCLE assists exporters with DGFT-related procedures, issues RCMC (Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate) which is uploaded to DGFT server, and facilitates various export promotion schemes under FTP.
- Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC)minorMIDC is developing a Leather, Footwear & Accessories Cluster at Khardi, Thane District on 150 acres. CLE is facilitating industry participation and coordinating land allotment for exporters.
- UNIDOminorCLE collaborated with UNIDO which launched leatherpanel.org portal containing publications, e-learning materials, and technical resources for leather industry development.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Council For Leather Exports competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- APEDA (Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority): Indian government-sponsored Export Promotion Council under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry — the closest structural peer to CLE, with an analogous scheme-administration, certification and trade-fair mandate for agri-exports.
- EEPC India (Engineering EPC): India's largest EPC for engineering goods; shares CLE's structure of government sponsorship, certificate issuance (EPC, IC), international trade fair participation and policy advocacy.
- GJEPC (Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council): Apex Indian trade body sponsored by Ministry of Commerce that issues RCMC, organizes flagship fairs (IIJS), runs MAI/IDA scheme disbursement and buyer-seller meets — directly comparable institutional model to CLE.
- Plastics Export Promotion Council (PLEXCONCIL): Government-sponsored EPC for plastics exports; mirrors CLE's institutional architecture, fee-based certification and participation in international trade fairs.
- TEXPROCIL (The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council): Indian EPC for cotton textiles operating under the same Ministry of Commerce framework with comparable RCMC, scheme administration and trade fair functions.
- Carpet Export Promotion Council: Sister EPC under India's Ministry of Commerce & Industry covering handmade carpets and other floor coverings; operates with similar regional office footprint and export promotion mandate.
Emerging players
- Leather Working Group (LWG): International multi-stakeholder group that audits and certifies leather tanneries/manufacturers globally; CLE's compliance advocacy and EUDR work overlaps with LWG's traceability and certification mandate.
Broad incumbents
- International Council of Tanners (ICT): Global umbrella body for the tanning industry that coordinates on technical, environmental and trade-policy issues — thematically adjacent to CLE's policy advocacy role for Indian tanneries.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Council For Leather Exports social profiles
Digital presenceCouncil For Leather Exports financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Council For Leather Exports leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Council For Leather Exports funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Council For Leather Exports M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Council For Leather Exports
What does Council For Leather Exports do?
The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) is the apex government-sponsored trade promotion organization for India's leather, footwear, and leather products industry. It issues Export Performance Certificates, Import Certificates, Certificates of Origin, and RCMC for member exporters; administers export promotion schemes including IFLDP 2021-26, IDLS, DFIS, and the Market Access Initiative (MAI); and organizes the annual India International Leather Fair along with participation in international exhibitions and buyer-seller meets. Its services are directed at Indian leather and footwear manufacturers and exporters to support export growth, modernization, and policy advocacy.
Is Council For Leather Exports a public or private company?
Council For Leather Exports is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Council For Leather Exports founded?
Council For Leather Exports was founded in 1984. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Council For Leather Exports based?
Council For Leather Exports is headquartered in Chennai, India, in the Asia region.
How does Council For Leather Exports make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Export Promotion Services are the primary driver. The others are trade Fairs and Events and government Sponsored Operations.
Who are Council For Leather Exports's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are APEDA (Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority), EEPC India (Engineering EPC), GJEPC (Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council), Plastics Export Promotion Council (PLEXCONCIL), TEXPROCIL (The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council) and Carpet Export Promotion Council. Leather Working Group (LWG) is listed as an emerging player. International Council of Tanners (ICT) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Council For Leather Exports have an API?
No public API is recorded for Council For Leather Exports.
What industry is Council For Leather Exports in?
Council For Leather Exports's product category is Leather Export Trade Promotion Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAL, Fair Trade & Ethical Supply Chains (Certification, Traceability, Producer Support). Its NAICS code is 316 and its SIC code is 3100.