Help for Cypriot shoe and leathergoods association
Cyprus’ finance ministry has given the Cyprus Association of Footwear and Leather Goods and the Cyprus Association of Woodworkers and Industrial Furniture €40,000 to help them promote their products.
Minister of Commerce, Antonis Paschalides told local press: "It is the philosophy of the government to support small- and medium-sized companies, especially in those sectors that have great difficulty under present conditions. We have to say that the two associations are doing an excellent job; they have both the vision and the tenacity and the trade ministry supports these associations at least in organising exhibits and promotion to give a chance to Cypriot producers and exhibitors to present their products, whose quality we believe is continually improving."
Head of the Cyprus Association of Footwear and Leather Goods, Andreas Pieri, said the money will be used to exhibit and showcase local products. "These are enterprises with excellent production and high-quality goods, but they struggle because of the lack of advertising. With the support of the ministry they will be able to progress."
Mr Pieri added that the general feeling in Cyprus is that the country does not have a leathergoods industry, but it is hoped the funding will help to change this misconception.
