Brazil sees extra value in leather exports
The Brazilian minister for development, industry and foreign trade, Sergio Amaral, has announced the creation of a programme aimed at increasing exports of added value finished leather and footwear. A pilot programme is to be implemented in the state of Mato Grosso where a Special Export Programme (SPE) is already in place. The aim of the SPE is to supplant exports of primary goods with added value products, thereby generating additional revenue.
Amadeu Fernandes, vice-president of strategic management for CICB – Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry - said the SPE should prove effective in encouraging tanners to invest more in the production of finished leather. However, he also expected this to take time because of the large amounts of capital required.
Mato Grosso for was chosen for the launch both because of its high concentration of wet blue production and also the fact that with the third-largest herd in the country, it has the potential to become a tanning area of national significance. Amaral said that as part of the initiative, he intends to bring Italian leather professionals to Mato Grosso to train local technicians.
