The organisers of the Brazilian leather and footwear machinery and components fair, FIMEC, have advised of a 26% increase in visitors to this year’s event – the 27^th in the series – to just under 50,000.   They estimate business resulting from the show to be in the region of around $600 million.

Held last week in Novo Hamburgo, Brazil's largest centre for the production of footwear, the event provided a showcase for the products of some 1,046 companies. Of the total, big rises were seen in the number of visitors from Argentina (716 from 482 the year before) and Columbia (up from 55 in 2002 to 83), hinting at recovery in those markets.

Highlights of the show included the launch on Saturday (April 26) of the 10^th edition of the Brazilian Leather Guide by the Brazilian Association of the Chemists and Technicians of the Leather Industry (ABQTIC) and the signing of an agreement that will see the Brazilian Association of the Companies of Components for Leather, Footwear and the Like (Assintecal) take a 6,000 square metre pavilion at next year’s event.

The show took place against the backdrop of a 20% upsurge in exports by the Brazilian tanning sector in the first quarter of 2003 and a forecast 20% increase in Brazilian footwear components for the year, taking them through the S$600 million barrier.

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