The sixth Courovisão - International Fair for Components, Leather, Chemicals and Accessories for Footwear and Leathergoods, held at the Fenac Exhibition Grounds in Novo Hamburgo, Brazil on September 14-16 ended amid hopes of better times for the local footwear sector. The latest innovations in fashion and technology for the coming season in Brazil and the Northern hemisphere were showcased at the event.

At a time when the Brazilian shoe industry is seeing a reduction in exports, Courovisão was viewed by many as the first step towards moving into the production of higher value goods, which is seen as the best way to compensate for the drop in exports caused by the influx of cheaper goods from China and other low price production areas. Brazilian manufacturers are now concentrating their efforts on the top-end markets of Europe, Japan and other countries with high purchasing power where consumers are prepared to pay more for innovative goods with a higher level of technological features and comfort.