Umberto Cilião Sacchelli, president of Apucacouros Industria & Comercio de Couros SA, of Apucarana/PR, has been named as president of CICB - Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industries. Mr Sacchelli takes over from Amadeu Pedrosa Fernandes and will hold office for the 2005-2007 term.

Stating the priorities of his term, Mr Sacchelli pointed out that CICB will continue to fight the gradual reduction of wet blue export duty that the Federal Government is planning to phase out completely by 2007 and promised "immediate action". Other important matters to be dealt with by the new administration are tax reduction for exporters and the recovery of fiscal credits by companies in the sector.

We shall keep participating in international negotiations to seek the reduction or elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers as well as intensifying our search for new markets for Brazilian leather,” Mr Sacchelli said.