In a first of its kind initiative, Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME), has come up with a handbook covering exhaustive details on various standards related to the export of leather goods.

Detailed sections covering Mandatory and Voluntary Standards applicable on Indian Leather goods in major export markets have been mapped and published in a comprehend Handbook. The Handbook enlists not only product wise and country wise mandatory and voluntary standards, but also lists testing labs, institutions and consultants for each standard that exporters could approach for assistance for compliance.

The handbook can also be freely downloaded from the project web site at http://www.smeindia.net.

The Finance Ministry has announced the new All Industry Duty Drawback rates for 2007-08 which have undergone significant changes in line with changes in inputs, duties etc.

The rates have been revised upwards on most products.

The drawback rates for other items not shown in the table are also being revised upwards. Some additional lines have been introduced in the drawback schedule.