The trade mission of the Brazilian Association of Leather and Footwear Component Suppliers (ASSINTECAL) has signed a collaboration agreement with the Eastern and Southern Africa Leather Industries Association (ESALIA).

The Brazilian delegation signed the agreement at the first Nairobi International Leather and Footwear Expo, during a trade mission to five African countries.

According to ASSINTECAL, contact with ESALIA contributed to the success of negotiations between African companies and Brazilian leather and footwear component suppliers. Through ESALIA, we have been able to approach companies that are interested in participating in an Assintecal project that will demonstrate production processes at the fair," said William Nicolau, vice-president of Foreign Markets.

ESALIA represents 10 countries and will organise the 2006 edition of Meet In Africa.