While the world focuses on Ukraine’s resistance against Russia, Bihar has emerged as an unexpected supporter of the Russian Army. In Hajipur, a rapidly growing city in the state, Competence Exports is gaining attention for manufacturing safety boots for Russian soldiers. Since 2018, the company has been producing ‘Made in Bihar’ boots, and in 2023, they exported 1.5 million pairs, with plans to increase this number by 50% next year.
Shib Kumar Roy, the general manager of the facility, shared that the boots meet specific requirements such as being lightweight, slip-resistant, and capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions, including temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius. Roy emphasized the company’s ambition to create a world-class factory in Bihar, contributing significantly to local employment, with 70% of their 300 employees being women.
Despite the Bihar government’s support for local industries, Roy noted the need for better infrastructure, including improved roads and communication systems, to facilitate smoother interactions with Russian Army. He also highlighted the necessity for skilled workers and proposed the establishment of a training institute to prepare employees for their roles.
In addition to safety boots, Competence Exports also produces luxury and fashion shoes for markets in Italy, France, Spain, and the UK. Mazhar Pallumiah, who leads the fashion development and marketing team, explained that initial hesitations from foreign companies were dispelled after receiving product samples. The company is now looking forward to meetings with some of these international partners next month and is even in discussions with a Belgian company.
India and Russia share a long-standing trade relationship. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Moscow and his meeting with President Vladimir Putin, both nations have set an ambitious goal to increase bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, up from the current $67 billion. This move aims to boost India’s exports to Russia across various sectors, reinforcing their economic ties.