According to the Brazilian Association of Manufacturers of Leather and Footwear Machinery and Equipment (Abrameq), although the Brazilian leather and shoe machinery industry is struggling to reach foreign markets due to the overvaluation of the real, thanks to the intensive promotion work carried out by Abrameq and the Brazilian Export Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), manufacturers have managed to maintain their leading position in the Latin American market.

Colombia and Mexico remain Brazil's main export markets for leather and footwear machinery on the American continent and, in order to cement this position, Brazilian suppliers will continue to promote their goods at trade fairs in Mexico and Colombia this month. As part of this strategy Abrameq organised an institutional stand at IFLS in Bogotá, Colombia, running from February 6 to 9, in order to exploit further opportunities in the rapidly growing Colombian market. Colombia imported almost $1.3 million worth of Brazilian machinery in 2005 and by September 2006, export figures had already reached $735,659. Two Abrameq member companies, Sulpol and Bremm & Peck, are exhibiting at the association's stand, while seven others have individual stands.

Abrameq will also participate at ANPIC in Leon, Mexico, on February 17-20, in order to promote Brazilian machinery in Mexico’s largest footwear hub. In 2005, Brazil exported leather and footwear machinery worth almost $3.3 million to Mexico. Brazilian companies exhibiting on Abrameq’s stand at ANPIC include Bremm & Peck, Erps, Kehl, Klein, Master, Mecsul, Sulpol, Systemhaus and Universul. A further three companies have reserved individual stands.