India’s leather and footwear exports are set for a major boost, with predictions reaching $14 billion by 2030 thanks to recent Free Trade Agreements with key regions like the EU, UK, UAE, Australia, and EFTA. The Council for Leather Exports is also actively eyeing a trade agreement with the US to keep Indian exporters competitive. On the digital front, Allcargo Logistics is integrating AI and predictive analytics to streamline operations across 19,000+ pincodes, while also launching a prepaid digital wallet with rewards tailored for MSMEs. In global shipping, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd (Gemini Cooperation) have resumed their AE15 container route through the Suez Canal. This move bypasses the Cape of Good Hope and cuts Asia-to-East Mediterranean transit times by up to two weeks. However, trade faced a bump when Australia suspended 44 Indian fumigation providers over audit issues, leaving roughly 100 Basmati rice containers at risk of heavy re-fumigation fees upon arrival.