According to Abicalçados - Brazilian Association of Footwear Manufacturers and SECEX/MDIC - Department of Foreign Trade/Ministry of Trade and Industry, exports increased 9% to $119 million.

Nevertheless, the total was still  11% down on the $134 million figure recorded in October 2001. The year-to-date figure meanwhile was 12% down in the year before, at $ 1.23 billion - the main culprit being the downturn in consumer spending, particularly in the US.

Since November 2000, Abicalçados has been engaged in a series of initiatives aimed at achieving $2.5 billion in exports by the end of 2004. These have included promotions in export markets as well as incentives to encourage manufacturers to export more. In the last two years, the number of footwear exporters has risen from 800 to 920 and programmes are now in place to encourage smaller enterprises to export.

As part of a wider export drive, an event named "Brazil Chile Show" is currently taking place in the Chilean capital of Santiago. (See story 21.11.02; ‘Brazilian footwear on show in Chile’. Held November 19-21, and incorporating a series of seminars and fashion shows, the event was aimed at showcasing the best in Brazilian goods including shoes, garments, jewels and cosmetics.