Geovana Pagel
São Paulo – With a 14% rise in number of exhibitors and 7% rise in fair area, the International Shoes, Sportsgoods and Leathergoods Fair, Couromoda 2004, opened its 31st edition covering an area of 45,000 square meters in stands in the Anhembi exhibition center in São Paulo, the Brazilian financial capital, and over 1,500 brands of shoes, leather accessories, and fashion articles. "It is the largest shoe sector showroom in Brazil, showing what will be fashionable in 2004," said fair president Francisco Santos during his fair opening speech, yesterday (13), in Anhembi exhibition pavilion, in the city of São Paulo, the Brazilian financial capital.
Various authorities were present at the fair opening, among them acting Brazilian president José de Alencar Gomes da Silva, development, industry, and foreign trade minister Luiz Fernando Furlan, and São Paulo state governor Geraldo Alckmin.
Francisco Santos pointed out that, among the 915 exhibitors, most of them come from the southeastern state of São Paulo (340), southern state of Rio Grande do Sul (296) and southeastern state of Minas (147). The remaining 132 companies come from another 12 states in the country. "The business perspectives are excellent. We are presenting a varied collection with products for all climates, as we are receiving buyers from all three Americas, Europe, and the Middle East," he stated.
According to the Couromoda fair, Brazilian shoes have attracted interest in European countries for three main differences: abundant leather, modern design, and good prices, plus the capacity companies have of supplying to large and small buyers, anywhere in the world.
Santos also stresses the growth of small industries that are already appearing as candidates for international trade." The sector has great growth capacity and may generate jobs in 15 different states," he explained.
Minister Furlan stated that, although the shoe sector result were not very expressive last year, the shoe sector did well. "The amount of animals slaughtered in the bovine sector rose 7% in 2003, representing a raw material growth for the sector."
To give an idea of the sector export growth potential, minister Furlan recalled that Brazil represents just 3% of the world market, while China represents 50%. According to him, Brazil must urgently work on deficient distribution channels, create space for producers to use the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) credit lines, invest in an improvement in molding and in the creation of new channels.
"Our part is to open doors. This is the year of economic growth and the year for the export effort made last year to start showing results," said Furlan. The minister stressed the importance of the work that is being developed by the Brazilian Export Promotion Agency (Apex) to show the country internationally.
"In Dubai, none of the companies left without selling," said Furlan, referring to the shoe industry participation in the Brazilian Week & Trade Exhibition, in Dubai, between December 7 and 9.
São Paulo state governor Geraldo Alckmin stressed the fair importance for Brazil. "Couromoda is a thermometer of growth in the sector and, from what can be seen, shows great growth," stated the governor. Alckmin stated the São Paulo state export effort as a form of support to the productive chain in the countryside cities of Franca, Jaú and Birigui.
Acting president José de Alencar praised the sector that, according to him, takes Brazil to the world. "Those who produce shoes are connected to the world, and those connected to the world must keep their eyes open," he declared.
"We have been following development in the sector. Brazil has gigantic potential and can compete internationally," said Alencar. "The government is open to discussion of matters important to the sector with the businessmen. The interest of the Brazilian economy is to score goals against opponents," he guaranteed.
The leather and shoe chain
The shoe business is the most visible part of the Brazilian leather and shoe sector, which has very expressive figures: an annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of around US$ 14.2 billion (from the tannery to the store) and total export of US$ 3.2 billion in shoes, leather, leather goods, and machinery components for shoe production.
Producing shoes of all kinds, the Brazilian industry perfectly answers to al the needs of the domestic market, where around 490 million pairs of shoes are sold every year. The per capita shoe consumption in the country is 2.8 pairs/year.
The sector is also an important job generator. The leather and shoe sector registers around 1 million direct and indirect jobs. Shoe industries, especially, are responsible for 280,000 direct jobs and, throughout 2003, opened 40,000 new positions.
