Over 54,000 people representing 41 countries attended the 30^th International Fair of Leather, Chemicals, Components and Accessories, Equipment and Machinery for the Leather and Footwear Industry (FIMEC).

This high level of attendance has apparently given new encouragement to those involved in the sector who have suffered difficulties recently due to an overvalued Real, high interest rates and fierce competition from Chinese products both at home and abroad.

1,200 brands were exhibited at FIMEC and, according to the organisers, 70% of the exhibition space for the 2007 show has already been reserved.

Meanwhile, director of IBTeC (Brazilian Institute for Technology of Leather, Footwear, and Manufactured Goods), Ricardo Michaelsen, announced that the Footwear Biomechanics Symposium, which runs parallel to FIMEC, will now only be held every two years. Until now it has been an annual event.