Brazilian footwear leaders voice their support for Lula
Brazil’s footwear industry leaders have broadly welcomed the election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula) as the country’s new President, believing his emphasis on exports are good for the long term future of the business.
Commenting on the appointment, Élcio Jacometti, president of Abicalçados – Brazilian Association of Footwear Manufacturers said that the fiscal reform promised by Lula was especially welcome in that it would likely reduce the tax burden on exported goods, increasing their competitiveness in the international marketplace. Eduardo Kunst, president of Assintecal – Brazilian Association of Manufacturers of Components for the Leather and Footwear Industry was equally upbeat, saying that he had the industry's full support and that expectations of the country’s participation in the FTAA were running high.
Raul Ludwig, president of Abrameq - Brazilian Association of Manufacturers of Machinery and Equipment for the Leather, Shoe and Allied Trades was slightly more cautious in his welcome, saying; "The country has given the new President a vote of confidence. This confidence established itself in the last three months of Lula's political campaign when he appeared as a candidate with a genuinely fresh approach and definite ideas for the future. Though Lula's past as a union leader has undoubtedly caused some disquiet in some quarters of the business, we nevertheless think he has a lot to offer. On this basis, we extend our full support to his administration."
