Spain Plans New Action Plan for Footwear Industry

Spain is preparing a new plan to support its footwear industry. The Ministry of Industry and Tourism has agreed to work on a special action plan for footwear and related businesses. The Spanish Federation of Footwear Industries (FICE) and the Spanish Association of Footwear Component Companies (AEC) welcomed the move.

The plan follows a visit by Industry Minister Jordi Hereu to Elche and Elda on September 16 and 17. During the visit, he met with footwear companies and visited INESCOP. INESCOP works on technology and research for the footwear sector. The visit gave the minister a chance to learn more about how footwear is made and how new technology is being used.

The new plan will focus on several important areas. These include modern factories, new investment, new ideas, digital tools, artificial intelligence, worker training, funding and sales in other countries. The plan will also look at bringing new workers into the industry. This is important as older workers leave and new workers join the sector.

FICE and AEC said the industry now needs clear action. They want a simple plan with clear goals and dates. The groups also want the plan to cover the whole footwear supply chain. This includes shoes, materials, soles, heels, textiles, machinery and other parts.

The goal is to protect shoe making jobs and factories in Spain. The groups also want Spanish companies to make more products and compete better in world markets. FICE and AEC will meet with government officials to discuss the next steps. They will set priorities and plan the first projects.

The groups expect to review early progress at the FUTURMODA trade fair on October 14 and 15.