Exports of leather products and non-leather footwear have got a boost. Steps initiated by govt will increase employment opportunities.According to Israr Ahmed, MD of Farida Group, so far, specific imports required for making shoe uppers have been kept within the bracket of duty. “Now, govt has announced these will be brought under the Import of Goods on Concessional Rate of Duty (IGCR), making them duty-free. When specific inputs are imported under IGCR, they have to be exported within six months or exporters need to get an extension for another six months. Now, the condition for extension has increased to one year. This will help in ease of doing business.”The Council for Leather Exports says the move has the potential to generate roughly two-to-three lakh additional jobs.