The Shoe Association of Franca (Ascal), in the state of São Paulo, plans to take six local companies to participate in the Motexha, trade fair in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on September 12-15.

"The Arab market has shown great interest in the shoes from Franca. The Arabs appreciate the design and high technology of our shoes," stated the head of international relations at Ascal, Renato Kikuta.

According to statistics from the Franca Shoe Factories Union, in the first half of this year, the UAE imported footwear worth $965,340 from Franca, an increase in 91.7% in relation to the same period last year.