After the recent virtual meeting of the representatives from Latin American footwear industries, the serious consequences caused by the pandemic to the sector and the urgent needs of the leadership to set the course for recovery were clearly exposed.
Within the data and considerations provided on the particular situation of each country, there were common and recurring themes, due to their relevance and implication in the future of the industry, require immediate treatment in the corresponding fields.
INFORMALITY and IMPORTS are two central and peremptory issues to be resolved. Due to the new market conditions, because of the health crisis, informality in the sector grew exponentially, turning into unfair competition for those who practice formality and a lower source of income for governments.
On the other hand, regular and irregular footwear imports, with insufficient controls, in the countries of the region, has been shown to be a reiterated and historical problem that can only be eradicated with strong political decisions of effective compliance.
Given the evidence and the recurrence of both anomalies, in a very special moment, where it is essential to recover the industry as a factor of economic and social growth, the Latin American footwear sector is faced with a unique opportunity to deal with and definitively resolve its future with its respective governments.
Due to its significance and projection in economic and social terms, the Latin American footwear industry deserves solid and permanent support from governments for its growth and development.
The Editor
