The Italian association of manufacturers of machines for the shoe, leathergoods and tannery industries, Assomac, held its annual meeting at its headquarters in in Vigevano on June 30 at which members were given the opportunity to discuss the problems facing the footwear industry at present. In his address, president of the association, Giovanni Gaia, stated that exports of shoe-manufacturing machinery fell by 10.79% in 2004, notwithstanding the 9.15% increase in exports to Asia. This is due to the fact that Europe still accounts for 59.61% of overall export business, which is in contrast with the current situation in the shoe-manufacturing sector.

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