Govt to help Indian luxury brands establish global presence

Following ‘Make in India’ initiative, the government is trying to initiate talks with international luxury leather brands such as Coach, Tod's and Hermes to set up their manufacturing centres in the country. The plan includes supporting Indian luxury and designer brands establish a strong overseas presence.

Speaking at the recent CII-ET Dialogue on Luxury, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion secretary Amitabh Kant had said that the government wants to handhold Indian luxury brands and designers to help them tap into global markets. “Indian tradition is about luxury and craftsmanship. We need to nurture that. I am a great believer in upmarket branding of products. I believe luxury is about differentiation,” he said. He also unveiled the CII-IMRB luxury report, according to which non-metro cities such as Aurangabad, Ludhiana, Kochi and Bellary account for as much as 35 percent of luxury brand sales.

During the discussion on 'Make in India for Overseas Luxury Market', designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee said that the voice of designers is being recognised now and they are able to create brands on our own. He also spoke about the big collaboration between his brand and a US company that got finalised after the government announced 'Make in India initiative'.

According to Tikka Shatrujit Singh, chief representative, Asia at LVMH, Make in India has to be harmonised while protecting India's cultural heritage.