Government assistance must not focus only on small firms, FICE says
The president of Spain’s main footwear industry association, FICE, José Monzonís, has said he thinks suggested measures to help small manufacturers in Spain, while welcome, will not be enough to help the shoe sector withstand the crisis brought on by the coronavirus.
In comments on March 17, Mr Monzonís said he had heard of a proposal to help companies by postponing their need to pay taxes. He said this was a good idea, but that if suggestions that it will be limited to companies with a turnover of less than €6 million per annum are true, it won’t be enough.
“There are lots of small and medium companies in the shoe sector in Spain,” he told specialist media, “but most of those that have export customers are turning over more than €6 million. Our sector is very cluster-focused, with lots of companies doing work for each other.”
He said small workshops may benefit from the rumoured tax relief, but pointed out that if larger companies receive no help and cannot continue, it would have a domino effect and would affect the entire industry.
