Eduardo Kunst has been elected president of Assintecal – the Brazilian Association of Leather and Shoe Component Manufacturers – for a two-year term from 2002-2004. Mr Kunst is managing director of Artecola, one of Brazil's largest shoe component manufacturers.

Targets for the presidency have been set as pursuing international agreements to define Brazil’s relationship with global markets and increasing exports for the association’s member companies. A technology vice-presidency has also been created to seek information and resources from research organisations in order to develop the component sector even further.