Portuguese president visits footwear producers

President Aníbal Cavaco Silva of Portugal recently toured some of his country’s footwear factories, to promote what is viewed by the Lisbon government as a key sector within the national economy. As highlighted in SATRA’s World Footwear Markets publication, some 1,340 companies in the Portuguese footwear industry employ around 36,600 members of staff.

The president visited five companies located in Vila Nova de Gaia, Guimarães, Felgueiras and São João da Madeira, all of which are in Portugal’s northern industrial region.

According to a statement released by the president’s office, Portuguese shoemakers reportedly export over 95 per cent of their footwear production to some 132 countries worldwide. Sales are said to have risen by more than 40 per cent over the last four years, producing a turnover of over some €1.7 billion ($2.1 billion) in 2013. In addition, the aforementioned towns are said to be experiencing among the lowest rates of unemployment in the country.

During the day, President Silva attended a gala lunch, where he paid tribute to Manuel Carlos Costa da Silva, general director of the Portuguese association of manufacturers of footwear, components and leathergoods (APICCAPS). He also highlighted the work of a number of other footwear industry figures.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 2 of the January 2015 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

Other articles from this issue »

---