India recently set up an expert group to develop environmental compliance standards for leather and textile industries, with a view to helping these industries focus on the supply of leather value-added products instead of raw materials.

DayanidhiMaran, Minister of textile industry of India, said after talking with Minister of environment JairamRamesh, the central Leather Research Institute and leather industry will submit a report to confirm that leather production has not caused any improper handling of environmental problems.

Mara urgently urged leather industry to export value-added leather products instead of raw skins, so as to maintain their competitiveness in the international market.

He added that the leather industry is expected to add another 1 million jobs in the next few years.