India and Vietnam yesterday agreed in New Delhi to elevate bilateral relations to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and set a target of taking bilateral trade value to $25 billion by 2030.

Vietnamese President To Lam is on a state visit to India from May 5 to 7.

India and Vietnam have agreed to elevate bilateral ties to Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and take bilateral trade to $25 billion by 2030.
Vietnamese President To Lam is on a state visit to India.
Both sides will facilitate market access and enhance supply chains.
An MoU was signed between the central banks of both sides on cooperation in payment systems and innovation in digital payments.

The two sides agreed to reinforce cooperation between the two rapidly growing economies at the level of governments and businesses for increasing two-way trade, investment and technological partnership, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a press release.

Both sides will facilitate market access and enhance supply chains in sectors of mutual interest.

Vietnam affirmed its commitments to diversify its supply sources and to import more products from India to serve its domestic production and export needs, an official release said.

Both sides agreed to explore ways for a more conducive regulatory environment to facilitate ease of doing business for companies of both countries, including in standards compliance certification.

The leaders agreed that the ongoing review of the ASEAN India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) should be concluded at the earliest.

The leaders agreed to encourage greater two-way investments to further strengthen India-Vietnam economic ties, especially in the fields of high-technology, transport, manufacturing, logistics, renewable energy, smart agriculture and electric vehicles.

They also agreed to strengthen the linkages between the two countries’ start-up ecosystems and encourage substantive cooperation among innovation centres.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Reserve Bank of India and the State Bank of Vietnam was signed on cooperation in payment systems and innovation in digital payments.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has supported a coordinated customs operation with Polish and Spanish customs that led to the seizure of several containers of textiles suspected of being diverted onto the European Union (EU) grey market instead of being exported to Africa as declared.

The operation focused on flows of goods transported from China towards Africa via a rail corridor entering the EU through Poland and then expected to leave the EU via the ports of Spain to Africa.

Textile products are subject to relatively high customs duties in the EU. These duties help ensure fair competition for European producers and generate revenue for national budgets and the EU.

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has supported a coordinated customs operation with Polish and Spanish customs that led to the seizure of several containers of textiles suspected of being diverted onto the EU grey market instead of being exported to Africa as declared.
Polish customs authorities seized three containers loaded with almost 70 tonnes of textiles.

Because of this, textile shipments are closely monitored, especially when they move under the transit procedure, a special customs regime that allows non-EU goods to travel across the EU without paying duties on the condition that the goods leave the EU customs territory and their exit is properly recorded.

Polish customs authorities seized three containers loaded with almost 70 tonnes of textiles, an OLAF release said.

“Diversion schemes that abuse transit procedures undermine fair competition, deprive public budgets of revenue and put honest businesses at a disadvantage. This operation shows the importance of close cooperation between OLAF and national customs authorities to protect the EU market and ensure that transit procedures and customs rules are respected,” Petr Klement, director general of OLAF, said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

As part of the “PRADA Made in India x Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals” project instituted in December 2025, Prada is pleased to announce the launch of its limited-edition collection of sandals, inspired by the Indian Kolhapuri Chappals, now available globally in 40 selected Prada stores and on Prada.com.

Manufactured in India by skilled artisans from the Maharashtra and Karnataka regions, where traditional Kolhapuri Chappals are handcrafted, the collection combines traditional techniques with Prada’s contemporary design and premium materials to create a unique dialogue between Indian heritage and modern luxury expression. This collection is developed in collaboration with LIDCOM (Sant Rohidas Leather Industries and Charmakar Development Corporation Ltd) and LIDKAR (Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation Ltd) – the Indian government organizations focused on safeguarding, promoting and developing the Indian leather industry and heritage of Kolhapuri Chappals.

Prada has launched a limited-edition sandal collection inspired by India’s Kolhapuri Chappals, handcrafted by artisans from Maharashtra and Karnataka in collaboration with LIDCOM and LIDKAR.
The project also includes a fully funded three-year training program for 180 artisans, supporting design skills, global exposure, and preservation of traditional craftsmanship.

This is a new chapter in Prada’s “Made In…” project, launched over a decade ago to celebrate artisanal excellence globally. It aims to identify and collaborate with master craftspeople on contemporary, innovative designs that embody an unparalleled standard of quality transcending geographical boundaries.

Prada Group is also pleased to announce the foundation of a training program dedicated to artisans from the eight districts in India where Kolhapuri Chappals are traditionally manufactured. The program is designed to strengthen design and technical skills, enabling artisans to create products that meet evolving market needs, while ensuring the continued relevance of this traditional craft.

This initiative, which will be fully funded by Prada, including through the proceeds of the sale of the limited-edition sandal collection, reflects the Group’s long-standing commitment to reinvest in education and culture. The program will run over three years in structured six-month modules, reaching a total of 180 artisans over the period. Applications are open to artisans aged 18 to 45, with the program developed in collaboration with LIDCOM and LIDKAR, and also in partnership with leading design institutes – the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and the Karnataka Institute of Leather & Fashion Technology (KILT) – where the training courses will be delivered.

The program brings together design fundamentals, digital skills, and an understanding of trends and market needs, guiding participants through the complete journey: from product development to market readiness. A strong emphasis is placed on practical learning, with dedicated studios at each institute equipped with the necessary tools and materials to support hands-on training.

The first program will commence this summer. Applications for the initial 30 seats (15 at NIFT and 15 at KILT) will open in May 2026 on LIDCOM, LIDKAR and the institutes’ websites. At the end of each six-month module, select participants will have the opportunity to continue their training at the Prada Group Academy in Italy, where they will further develop their craftsmanship and technical expertise while learning directly from the Group’s Maestros.

“Education is a fundamental pillar in ensuring that craftsmanship remains a living practice. With this training program, we are translating a shared cultural dialogue into a concrete opportunity for learning and growth. Supporting artisans through structured training means safeguarding knowledge, strengthening local communities, and ensuring that traditional craftsmanship continues to evolve and thrive.” commented Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Head of Corporate Social Responsibility.

Ms. Prerna Deshbhratar, I.A.S., LIDCOM Managing Director, declared: “This collaboration will enable sustainable global positioning of our traditional craftsmanship, fostering cross-cultural design dialogue and long-term value for artisans.”

Dr. KM Vasundhara, LIDKAR Managing Director, echoed: “This collaboration with the Prada Group represents a significant step toward elevating Karnataka’s traditional craftsmanship to the global stage, while reinforcing our commitment to artisan’s welfare through responsible and sustainable CSR initiatives.”

Siddalingappa B. Pujari, KILT Director, commented: “Partnering with a globally renowned luxury brand marks a significant milestone for KILT. This collaboration will empower our artisans with exposure to international design sensibilities, evolving market demands, and cutting-edge technologies. It is a step towards bridging traditional craftsmanship with global excellence, ensuring our artisans remain competitive, innovative, and future-ready.”

Tanu Kashyap, I.A.S., NIFT Director General, declared: “Prada’s initiative to reach out to Kolhapuri artisans and collaborate with NIFT, India’s leading academic Institute in design education, marks a transformative step in taking this GI-tagged craft to the global stage. It is time that Indian traditional crafts take their rightful place on the world stage and being acknowledged as the new luxury. The initiative will empower artisans to carry forward the legacy of handcrafted and handmade traditions into the commercial arena, representing the true essence of sustainable and heritage fashion.”

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)