Hajipur, a city in Bihar renowned for its agricultural output, is now making waves on the international stage through the manufacturing of safety boots for the Russian army. Competence Exports, a private limited company based in Hajipur, has pioneered this transformation.

Since the establishment of its facility in 2018, Competence Exports has focused on creating local employment opportunities while producing high-quality safety shoes for export. General Manager Shib Kumar Roy highlighted the company's dedication to meeting the rigorous demands of their Russian clients. "The safety shoes we manufacture are lightweight, slip-resistant, feature specialised soles, and can withstand extreme temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius," Roy explained.

Speaking about the facility, General Manager Shib Kumar Roy told ANI, "We started the Hajipur facility in 2018, and the main interest is to generate local employment. At Hajipur, we make safety shoes that are meant to be exported to Russia. Total exports are for Russia, and we are also slowly working on Europe and will launch in the domestic market soon."

Russia’s positive response has established Competence Exports as one of the leading exporters to the region. Last year, the company shipped 1.5 million pairs of shoes, valued at Rs 100 crore, with plans to increase this figure by 50 percent in the coming year. Roy also emphasised the company's commitment to local employment, noting that 70 percent of their 300 employees are women. "Our Managing Director, Danesh Prasad, aims to build a world-class factory in Bihar, contributing significantly to state employment," Roy stated.

Despite the successes, Roy acknowledged that there are challenges. He said that the Bihar government has been supportive, but there is a need for improved infrastructure, such as better roads and communication facilities, to facilitate smoother interactions with our Russian buyers. "We also want ready-skilled manpower, and for that, a training institute should be set up so that we get skill-ready manpower, otherwise, we have to train the workers before inducting them," he added.

In addition to safety shoes, the Hajipur facility exports luxury designer footwear to European markets, including Italy, France, Spain, and the UK. "Our aim is to develop high-end shoes for international brands. We recently started negotiations with a Belgian company as well," said Mazhar Pallumiah, head of fashion development and marketing for the company.

"Starting a fashion industry in Bihar, particularly in Hajipur, has its challenges. However, with the vision of our promoters and continued government support, we are confident in our ability to succeed," Pallumiah remarked. Hajipur continues to carve out its niche in the international footwear market with Competence Exports poised for further growth and recognition, boosting both local employment and Bihar's industrial landscape.

Image source: ANI