Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Government has taken a major step to elevate the state’s sports goods, footwear, and leather industries by signing a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) Footwear Design and Development Institute. The initiative aims to strengthen skill development, generate employment, promote technological upgradation, and boost exports from the state.
Punjab Industries and Commerce Minister Aman Arora described the partnership as a significant move to connect traditional industries with modern technology and global competitiveness. He said the government’s focus is to provide advanced testing facilities, trained manpower, design and innovation support, and better market linkages so that MSMEs in Punjab can integrate into national and international supply chains.
Under the agreement, a Sports Goods Testing and Development Laboratory will be established in Jalandhar, one of India’s main hubs for sports goods manufacturing. The facility will help local manufacturers develop products that meet global quality standards. In addition, footwear and accessories testing sample collection centres will be set up across different parts of Punjab, reducing the need for small and medium enterprises to travel long distances for quality testing.
The partnership also includes the development of a Centre of Excellence along with a structured skill development framework. This will bring together industry stakeholders, academic institutions, startups, and technical experts on a single platform. Specialized training programs will be conducted in areas such as design, product development, quality control, retail, and fashion accessories.
Officials said the initiative will help industries accelerate product development, meet the technical requirements of global brands, and enhance competitiveness in domestic and international markets. It will also encourage entrepreneurship development, startup incubation, research collaboration, and exchange of experts.
The MoU was signed by Industry and Commerce Department Director Jaspreet Singh and FDDI Managing Director Vivek Sharma. Senior officials including Invest Punjab CEO Amit Dhaka were also present on the occasion.
Administrative Secretary of the Industries and Commerce Department Gurkirat Kirpal Singh said the collaboration will play a crucial role in enabling industries to adopt modern technology, build capacity, and align production with global market demands. He added that the initiative will open new opportunities for youth, entrepreneurs, and the MSME sector across the state.
