FUTURE THINKING ADESH GUPTA CHAIRMAN CFLA

As the chairman of the council in one of India’s economically important sectors, Adesh Gupta has learned that from young to old, each individual is unique. Driven by a great sense of responsibility to the community, Council For Footwear Leather & Accessories(CFLA) feels “blessed” to be in the position that he is. “It comes with much responsibility, and I take that responsibility seriously,” he says.

Adesh Gupta started his career with Liberty Group and has forced the company out of his comfort zone and down a new path. Now CEO, he’s never looked back. Liberty Shoes, which is active in the sectors of footwear manufacturing and retailing among others, is highly successful, and is often considered one of the top 3 companies in India.

Founded to reinforce Make In India policy, CFLA was intended to promote domestic manufacturers and retailers. Its chairman Adesh continues to champion those ideals. Footwear and leather Industry, it goes without saying, is struggling through some difficult times. Global economic uncertainties, low consumptions, GST and transformation are raging fiercer than ever, making global headlines on a daily basis. The footwear and accessories sector in India had one of the most deprived and ignored relation with the authorities in terms of taxation, policy norms, minimum wages, skill development, and lack of branding. It is evident that the Indian Footwear Industry holds a pivotal place in the Indian Economy for its potential for employment and for supporting the economy through foreign exchange earnings.

As bad as things look, however, this narrative of discord is often punctuated by messages of hope, collaboration and collective advancement. One of these beacons of light is CFLA. Presently, this industry has been experiencing a rapid expansion and witnessing a significant growth, primarily due to increased demand for trendy, comfortable footwear and availability of premium footwear products.