Over 6,800 visitors attend the manufacturers and suppliers fair in Colombia
From July 17th to 19th, a new edition of the IFLS+EICI, fair was held at the Corferias venue in Bogotá, organized by ACICAM, the Colombian association of the leather, footwear, and manufactured goods industry. Exhibitors of footwear and manufactured goods, along with suppliers to this industry, gathered at the event. The offer was broad and comprehensive, with IFLS comprising footwear in all its lines, bags, handbags, leather goods, and apparel, while EICI featured sectorized spaces for suppliers of hides and skins, materials and components, and machinery and equipment.
The proposal of finished products was led by local manufacturers from different industrial zones of the country, while national suppliers shared spaces with international colleagues specializing in materials and technology.
The event also featured important fashion shows, conferences, and presentations on trends and other sectoral topics of interest, such as marketing, production, and sustainability.
A total of 415 companies exhibited at the fair, which received over 6,800 visitors, mostly from different parts of the country. International visitors included participants from Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, and Central America, as well as North Americans from Mexico and the United States. In the supplier sector, participation was led by Brazilians, Mexicans, Asians and Europeans.
According to the organizers, "during the three days of the fair, many business and commercial transactions were carried out, which undoubtedly boosted the economy of the small and medium-sized entrepreneurs who participated in the event. This achievement highlights the commitment of ACICAM and the participants to strengthening commercial relationships, fostering the development of new opportunities in the industry, and continuing to position national footwear and supplies in the region."
Despite challenges such as a 15% drop in production by May, mainly due to informality, the footwear industry in the capital remains a key pillar with 1,877 companies and approximately 28,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Footwear consumption in Colombia has been the subject of detailed analysis by the Raddar-Acicam Footwear and Leather Goods Observatory. On average, a Colombian purchases between 2.4 and 2.5 pairs of shoes per year, a figure in line with the Latin American average.
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