São Paulo – The International Shoes and Accessories Fashion Fair (Francal), due from July 9 to 12 in São Paulo, should see a higher number of importers than planned, as a consequence of the fact that the US dollar is appreciating against Brazil’s real in the past few days. The fair’s organizers had initially projected that 1,500 importers from 60 countries should attend, but the president of the fair, Abdala Jamil Abdala, believes that international attendance will be even higher.
Whenever the value of the US currency increases in relation to the real, Brazilian products become more export-competitive. According to Abdala, the dollar tends to remain high, and the latest developments have already driven industrialists to become more confident when it comes to investing in exports – and people in other countries are watching. “We believe we should see an increase in visitation from importers willing to do business,” said the shoe fair president.
The foreigners who attend Francal usually come from various areas of the world, such as LAtin America, Europe and the Middle East. Abdala notes that Arab importers keep attending even at times when Brazilian shoe prices are not as competitive, and thus he believes the inflow of said visitors will be even greater in the upcoming edition. Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates rank respectively as the 14th and 18th leading targets of Brazilian shoe exports, at US$ 8.2 million and US$ 6.8 million imported, respectively.
Brazil exports shoes to 130 countries, and some of the deals are closed at fairs such as Francal. “They are still coming to the fair, albeit in smaller numbers and doing a lower volume of business,” says the president. He notes that despite the unfavourable scenario, considering the high cost of doing business in Brazil and the appreciated Brazilian currency, the industry had been exporting. From January to May this year, the industry posted export revenues of US$ 455 million, up 2.6% from the same period in 2012.
“The world wants to buy shoes from Brazil,” says Abdalla. He mentions that the country is the world’s third leading shoe-producing country, at 830 million pairs per year, after China, which ranks first at 13 billion, and India, at 1.1 billion pairs. “But our shoes are quality products. Brazil has a strong production potential and quality design,” says the Francal president.
The appreciated dollar also makes imports dearer, and that is why Abdala believes those exhibiting at the fair will see an increase in domestic retail sales. The fair is expecting 60,000 store owners at Parque Anhembi, where it will be held. One thousand exhibitors will be showcasing their Spring-Summer products in an 82,000 square-metre area. Apart from the exhibition, Francal features forums and addresses on the industry. The fair will celebrate its 45th anniversary this year.
Service
Francal 2013
July 9th to 12th, 2013
10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Pavilhão de Exposições Anhembi – São Paulo
Information: +55 (11) 2226-3100
Website: www.feirafrancal.com.br
Admittance: free and restricted to industry professionals. People under 14 will not be allowed in, even if accompanied.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
