Luís Amaral has been elected as president of the Brazilian Association of Leather, Footwear and Leathergoods Component Manufacturers (Assintecal) for the 2006-2008 term. He is director of Lukri Componentes para Calçados, of Ceará, and Componentes para Calçados Alba, of Novo Hamburgo.

Prior to his election, he was vice president of the association and has been a member of the board of directors for the last three years. He is also a member of the Export Council of the Industrial Federation of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (FIERGS) and director of the Footwear Industry Union of Novo Hamburgo.

Speaking after his election Mr Amaral said that his main goal during his presidency is to achieve integration within the sector at macroeconomic and political levels.

Meanwhile the association has also elected new members to the board of directors. Roque Orlando Vieira Júnior has been elected as vice-president of the domestic market, whilst Walter Perfeito will become vice president for foreign markets.