The Agra Development Authority has spent more than `21 crores to develop the much needed facilities centre on a sprawling 6870 sq metre plot, with a basement and three floors.

 An official said there were 22 godowns for stocks, an auditoriam, exhibition hall and 268 stalls or shop counters. "It would now be possible for foreign buyers to see the wide range of leather shoe products being manufactured in Agra, and negotiate directly. Even smaller manufacturers would be able to showcase their products and compete," the official said.

 Agra is the biggest leather shoe manufacturing centre in India, with more than two lakh people directly involved in the production process. "Shoes are manufactured in Agra according to the designs approved and quality constantly monitored by the top national and international companies…" said Ved Gautam, a foreign exchange agent working for the shoe trade.

Ashok Jain CA, a leading shoe manufacturer and social activist said: "this is an excellent facility for the cottage industry which employs lakhs of people. The trading has been centralised and this should benefit a large number of small players in the industry. The larger manufacturer already have enough space and facilities to directly deal with the buyers, he added.

The ruling Bahujan Samaj Party that draws its sustenance and strength from Agra's shoe workers mostly belonging to the "Jatav" community, has always supported their cause.