writingonblog uncensored: India’s leather exporters weigh tariff-driven turm...

writingonblog uncensored: India’s leather exporters weigh tariff-driven turm...: C Shivakumar As the United States slaps fresh tariffs on Indian goods, leather exporters in Tamil Nadu — a key hub of the country’s leather...

India’s leather exporters weigh tariff-driven turmoil and opportunity in US trade shift

C Shivakumar

As the United States slaps fresh tariffs on Indian goods, leather exporters in Tamil Nadu — a key hub of the country’s leather industry — are bracing for short-term disruption, even as they eye long-term gains from shifting global trade flows.

Earlier this month, Washington announced a 26 per cent tariff on a range of Indian exports, including footwear and leather goods. The move, part of a broader trade recalibration under President Donald Trump’s administration, places India in a comparatively better position than East Asian competitors such as Vietnam and Cambodia, which now face steeper duties of 46 per cent and 49 per cent respectively.

While the hike has rattled Indian exporters, some in the sector see an opening.

“With the new tariffs in place, India becomes a more attractive sourcing destination,” said Israr Ahmed, director of Farida Prime Tannery and vice-president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO). “Major brands will start looking at India more seriously, and we anticipate a rise in order books.”

Tamil Nadu accounts for 38 per cent of India’s footwear and leather goods production. The state, home to several export-driven clusters, is likely to feel the impact of any shift in global sourcing strategies. India exported $4.01 billion worth of leather and leather products in the last fiscal year, with the United States accounting for nearly $873 million — over a fifth of total exports.

Despite optimism from some quarters, industry players warn that the immediate future could prove challenging.

“About 20 per cent of our exports go to the US,” said Abdul Wahab, managing director of K H Shoes. “It’s our single largest market, and a 26 per cent tariff is a serious blow. In the next four to five months, we expect disruption — cancellations and reduced orders.”

Wahab said his company, like many others, is scrambling to assess the full implications. “We’re moving from meeting to meeting, trying to understand the tariff lines. Right now, it’s too early to comment with certainty — but we already know that customers won’t absorb the full cost. They expect us to share the burden.”

He added that the impact will be felt almost immediately. “The tariffs come into effect from April 5. That covers our peak production season — the months leading up to the major fall and holiday sales in the US. These months are critical. Any shift in cost structures now directly hits manufacturers and brands.”

Beyond the short-term turbulence, exporters believe India’s leather sector could stand to benefit from a long-term realignment of supply chains away from traditional powerhouses in Southeast Asia.

“In the longer term, there is definitely an opportunity for India,” Wahab said. “We are one of the few competing manufacturing countries with scale. But before we can talk about gains, we need to get through this very real and immediate challenge.”

Industry bodies have begun lobbying the Indian government for relief and support. “This is a labour-intensive sector,” Wahab said. “We’re engaging with the Commerce and Finance Ministries to help us navigate this critical juncture.”

As the global trade map is redrawn, India’s leather exporters are hoping that short-term pain will lead to long-term repositioning — but for now, the focus is on survival.

ICA Signs Loan Agreement to Boost Tamil Nadu’s Investment Landscape with Third Phase of Development Program

CHENNAI:
In a significant move to enhance Tamil Nadu's investment climate, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has inked a loan agreement worth 36,114 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rs 2,106 crore) for the third phase of the Tamil Nadu Investment Promotion Program. This funding aims to strengthen the state's regulatory frameworks, infrastructure, and skill development initiatives, positioning Tamil Nadu as a global industry hub.

The third phase of the program will focus on sustainable and future-oriented development, particularly in emerging and green sectors. The initiative aligns with India's rapid growth and emphasizes environmental responsibility, marking a critical step in Tamil Nadu's long-term economic strategy. JICA had previously supported the first and second phases of the program in 2013 and 2017, respectively, with a focus on similar developmental goals.

Key components of the Tamil Nadu Investment Promotion Program include the establishment of the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Fund (TNGCF) to support green and climate-smart industrial projects, as well as energy conservation incentives in partnership with Japan. Another crucial element is the Tamil Nadu Emerging Sector Seed Fund (TNESSF), which aims to promote investment in startups and high-growth industries, including semiconductors and advanced electronics. The Tamil Nadu World Innovation and Skill Training Hub (TNWISH) will also be established to provide cutting-edge, industry-relevant skill development opportunities.

The program further seeks to streamline the business environment for Japanese companies in Tamil Nadu by strengthening the Japan Desk, a collaborative initiative between the state government and JICA.

The Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan agreement was signed by Manisha Sinha, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Takeuchi Takuro, Chief Representative of JICA India.

Commenting on the partnership, Takuro emphasized Tamil Nadu's pivotal role in India’s industrial growth, noting the success of initiatives like the Japan Industrial Township (JITs) in Chennai. He highlighted that the third-phase program would play a crucial role in fostering green industries and advancing technologies such as semiconductors, further contributing to India’s and Japan’s sustainable development goals.

The Industries, Investment Promotion & Commerce Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu will oversee the implementation of the program, ensuring the effective rollout of policy reforms and infrastructure projects that will drive growth and job creation across the state.

writingonblog uncensored: Indian Student Wins Prestigious Nuclear Science Fe...

writingonblog uncensored: Indian Student Wins Prestigious Nuclear Science Fe...: Moscow:  Hemangi Shrivastava, an Indian student pursuing a Master’s degree in Electronics and Nanoelectronics at Moscow Power Engineering In...

Indian Student Wins Prestigious Nuclear Science Fellowship

Moscow: 

Hemangi Shrivastava, an Indian student pursuing a Master’s degree in Electronics and Nanoelectronics at Moscow Power Engineering Institute (MPEI), has won the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP) for women in nuclear science. MPEI is part of Rosatom’s core and partner university network.

Originally from India, Shrivastava chose to specialise in illumination engineering and sources of light, a field she describes as a “perfect blend of science and art.” While not directly related to nuclear science, she sees its connection to energy accessibility. “The cheaper and easier access to electricity, the more illuminated a country’s streets are,” she noted.

Shrivastava was inspired to apply for the MSCFP after attending the 2023 World Youth Festival in Sirius, Russia, organised by Rosatom. “A female Turkish professor explained how nuclear energy is part of everything, even light,” she said. “I am grateful to Rosatom, the IAEA, and the MSCFP for this opportunity.”

The MSCFP was launched in 2020 by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to encourage more women to enter the nuclear sector. Each year, over 100 female students worldwide receive the fellowship. Since its launch, 560 students from 121 countries have been selected from more than 2,200 applicants.

Rosatom has been a strong supporter of the MSCFP, funding around 40 female students from 17 countries over the past four years. This year, 12 students from Rosatom’s partner universities in 10 countries—including Armenia, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Zimbabwe—received the scholarship. The fellowship covers tuition, internships, a monthly stipend, and additional financial support from Rosatom.

“Rosatom values people above all and invests in human resources development,” said Vera Upirova, Senior Manager at Rosatom’s Project Office for Education Development and International Cooperation. “By supporting talented women in the nuclear industry, we align with the IAEA’s mission and contribute to building trust in green nuclear energy.”

Rosatom has long integrated sustainability into its strategy. In 2020, it adopted a unified policy on sustainable development and joined the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. Today, Rosatom is Russia’s leading producer of low-carbon electricity, supplying about 20% of the country’s power.

writingonblog uncensored: Chennai Airport holding crucial meet to discuss He...

writingonblog uncensored: Chennai Airport holding crucial meet to discuss He...: C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: Chennai Airport officials will convene a high-level meeting to assess security measures following a major fire at Lo...

Chennai Airport holding crucial meet to discuss Heathrow blaze incident

C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:
Chennai Airport officials will convene a high-level meeting to assess security measures following a major fire at London’s Heathrow Airport, which exposed vulnerabilities in global aviation infrastructure. The meeting, announced by Deputy Inspector General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Arun Singh, aims to implement lessons learned from the Heathrow incident.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Coastal Security Awareness cum Cyclist Reception Function, scheduled for Tuesday at Marina Beach, Singh confirmed that the Airports Authority of India, CISF, and fire services will participate in the discussions.

"The focus will be on analyzing the incident and strengthening safety protocols at Chennai Airport," he said, responding to to a query on safeguarding critical airport infrastructure.

Last week, a fire at an electricity substation at Heathrow Airport—one of the busiest in the world—caused a massive power outage, disrupting travel for nearly 200,000 passengers. The incident has prompted airports worldwide to re-evaluate their emergency preparedness.

Singh also highlighted ongoing efforts to bolster airport security, including advanced access control systems, 3D scanning technology, and CCTV upgrades as part of a broader modernization initiative. Plans are also underway to expand CISF units at the airport.

In addition to enhancing security infrastructure, CISF has been actively involved in curbing smuggling activities. Over the past two years, Chennai Airport’s CISF personnel have intercepted 12 cases of foreign currency smuggling worth ₹2.56 crore and thwarted 10 gold smuggling attempts totaling ₹9.17 crore. They also recovered ₹5.01 crore worth of unattended property during the same period.

Singh also provided updates on the ongoing Cyclothon, a large-scale cycling event flagged off by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The event features 125 cyclists, including 14 women, traveling the eastern route. Having started from Bakkhali Beach in West Bengal, the Cyclothon has covered 1,980 km of its 2,778 km journey upon reaching Chennai.

On Tuesday, CISF will host a grand welcome ceremony for the cyclists, attended by top security officials and coastal security stakeholders. The Cyclothon will continue to Puducherry on March 26, followed by stops in Karaikal, Adhiramapatnam, Ramanathapuram, and Thoothukudi, before concluding at Vivekananda Memorial in Kanyakumari on March 31, said DIG G Sivakumar, the nodal officer of the event, who also addressed reporters.

During the event, a special video message from actor Rajinikanth was played, in which he recalled the 2008 Mumbai attacks that claimed 175 lives. He urged coastal communities to remain vigilant and play an active role in preventing similar security threats.

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