Hopes rise for positive year-end
21/08/2007
Colombia's leather sector is predicting a strong end to the year, in keeping with the country's economy in general.
Positive results for the first half of 2007 have encouraged the Colombian retail sector to increase orders for the build-up to Christmas and the mood across the whole economy is at its most optimistic for five years, commentators said.
The president of the Colombian Association of Leather and Footwear Manufacturers (ACICAM), Luis Gustavo Flórez, commented: "Brands have just launched their new collections of handbags, jackets, trousers and the whole range of footwear, and orders from boutiques and larger stores have gone up. That means production in the leather sector is set to rise by 5%, and we harbour hopes that sales of leathergoods and footwear could rise by 10% compared to last year."
