FDDI MD Vivek Sharma: “India’s time has come — our youth must become job creators, not job seekers.”
Agra: The second day of the 17th ‘Meet at Agra’ Footwear Fair, being held at Agra Trade Centre, Singna (Mathura Road), was filled with enthusiasm, innovation, and new opportunities. More than 6,922 visitors from across India attended the event, including 3,140 trade visitors and a large number of students and budding entrepreneurs.
Message of Entrepreneurship for the Youth
Chief Guest Mr. Vivek Sharma, Managing Director, FDDI (Footwear Design & Development Institute), addressed the seminar, saying:
“India today is among the world’s fastest-growing economies. At such a time, youth must focus not on finding jobs, but on creating them. The nation needs young minds who become job providers rather than job seekers.”
He further emphasized that FDDI is not merely an educational institution, but a ‘School of Entrepreneurship’, inspiring students to become integral parts of the industry.
AFMEC President Gopal Gupta: “The Industry’s Confidence is High
Mr. Gopal Gupta, President of AFMEC (Agra Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Chamber), said:
“This fair represents the vitality of our industry and a crucial step towards a self-reliant India. The energy and enthusiasm seen among exhibitors and buyers alike signal a bright future for the footwear sector.”
He also highlighted that Meet at Agra has connected entrepreneurs not only from the footwear sector but also from textiles, engineering, electronics, and furniture industries, opening new avenues of collaboration.
Distinguished Guests Call for Industrial Growth
On this occasion, Mr. Puran Dawar (Chairman, DCFLI & Former AFMEC President), Mr. Rajesh Sehgal (Vice President), Mr. Rajiv Vasan, and Mr. Pradeep Vasan (General Secretary, AFMEC) addressed the gathering.
Mr. Puran Dawar remarked: India is now the world’s third-largest footwear producer. Our next goal is to become a global export powerhouse. Clusters in Agra, Kanpur, and South India are playing a pivotal role in achieving this vision.”
The session was moderated by Mr. Nakul Manchanda, State General Secretary, CIFI
Recognition of Buying Agents – ‘Meet at Agra’ Earns Global Recognition
For the first time, international buying agents promoting Indian footwear exports were honored for their contributions. Awardees included Ravish Pippal, Sachit Kumar, Varun Kochar, Sanjay Tiwari, Pulkit Nijhawan, Dhruv Mahajan, Divyanshu Mittal, Daljeet Singh, Mukesh Goswami, Pawan Sharma, Ikram Ahmed, Saurav Gautam, Ved Prakash Yadav, Pankaj Yadav, and L.K. Chahar.
Buying Agent Mr. Ravish Pippal commented:
“‘Meet at Agra’ is no longer just a trade fair — it has evolved into a global networking platform for the footwear industry. Foreign buyers are impressed by the quality of Indian products showcased here.”
Banking and Financial Sessions Empower MSMEs
The financial session featured experts from State Bank of India (SBI), ICICI Bank, Punjab National Bank (PNB), and ECGC.
Mr. Prabhakar Pandey (Treasury Marketing Head) and Mr. Puneet Sharma (AGM-SME) from SBI stated:
“SBI has launched several schemes for MSMEs that provide immediate capital support without complex procedures.”
Mr. Amit Grover (DGM, PNB) added: “We are partnering with industries to strengthen the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Banking collaboration is key to empowering the MSME sector.”
Mr. Siddharth Rishabh (ICICI Bank) and Mr. Rohan Dharnik (ECGC) shared insights on credit guarantees and export insurance for exporters.
Sessions on Factoring and Provident Fund – Useful for All Industries
Mr. Anuj Kumar, Relationship Manager, India Factoring, explained: “Through factoring services, small businesses can instantly convert their pending bills into cash, ensuring uninterrupted production and better financial health.”
Mr. Shravan Kumar Mishra, speaking at the Provident Fund session, discussed employee welfare, legal compliance, and government incentive schemes in detail.
Unified Voice of the Industry
Mr. Rajesh Sehgal (AFMEC Vice President) said: “This event has brought us together on one platform, fostering collaboration across policy, production, and marketing.”
Mr. Rajiv Vasan (AFMEC Executive) noted: “Agra is no longer just a footwear hub — it is becoming the capital of innovation. Mr. Pradeep Vasan (General Secretary, AFMEC) concluded: Each edition of ‘Meet at Agra’ is growing larger, more organized, and gaining greater international recognition.”
Key Statistics – Day Two
- Total Visitors: 6,922
- Trade Visitors (Business Delegates): 3,140
- Future Entrepreneurs (Students/New Entrants): 911
