The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) honoured R Selvam IAS, Executive Director of CLE, at a felicitation ceremony held at Taj Connemara, Chennai on April 2, 2026, recognising his service to the Indian leather industry and his role in driving policy support, industry growth and global engagement during his 8 year tenure. By Leather News.

Industry leaders, associations and stakeholders from across the Indian leather and footwear sector attended and shared their experiences working with R Selvam IAS.

Associations including IFLMEA, ISF, Ranitec, PTA, TALTEA and others were present. On the podium were Israr Ahmed, former Regional Chairman, CLE on behalf of Abdul Wahab, Southern Regional Chairman, CLE, Dr Rafeeque Ahmed, former Chairman, CLE, Aqeel Panaruna, former Chairman, CLE, Dr Thanikaivelan, Director, CSIR-CLRI and R Selvam IAS.

Israr Ahmed read out Abdul Wahab’s message and highlighted Selvam’s personal involvement in building Tamil Nadu into an athletic footwear manufacturing hub. This effort brought ₹12,000 crore (~$1.1 Billion) investment and created 1 lakh jobs. He also worked with Mr Rajendra Jalan, former Chairman, CLE on removing 20% export duty on crust leather and 10% import duty on wet blue leather, making both NIL.

“Selvam’s most important contribution was his personal involvement in making Tamil Nadu the athletic footwear capital of the world and taking delegations globally”.

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