Italy is one of the major export markets of the Vietnamese leather and footwear industry in addition to two other markets, the United States and Europe. In the period 2017-2018, Vietnam - Italy expects to increase trade cooperation between the two countries to $ 6 billion.

In the beginning of July, the delegation of 29 leather and footwear companies from Italy participated in the 19th International Footwear Exhibition held in Vietnam to seek opportunities for cooperation and investment in the field. leather shoes. In addition, Italian companies participating in the international footwear exhibition are not only shoe manufacturers but also suppliers of machinery, equipment and chemicals used in the leather industry, processing and manufacturing. shoe. There are many big names and reputable in Italy as well as in the world like ALC, Atom, Comelz, Lamebo. This reflects the usual level of interest of Italian businesses in the Vietnamese footwear market.

Exchanges in the exhibition, many experts and business owners in the field of footwear said that Vietnam will have certain advantages and opportunities in the export of goods when the European free trade agreement - Vietnam officially became effective as reducing tariff barriers to Europe. However, besides the export of Vietnamese goods to Europe, the issue is that the European side will apply new laws and regulations for the export of footwear in Vietnam. Europe. As a result, Vietnamese footwear businesses need to focus on product quality and manufacturing processes to meet European standards.

Experts also point out that Vietnam is now the second largest producer of footwear in the world after China. However, footwear production in Vietnam is still limited by shoe production. synthetic materrials. Vietnam needs to upgrade its science and technology with new machinery, as well as integrate into the world's footwear industry and be in control of its footwear.

According to Mr. Paolo Lemma of the ITC in Vietnam, trade exchange activities such as the international footwear exhibition with the participation of not only Vietnamese footwear companies. South and Italy are good opportunities for businesses to strengthen cooperation and longer term cooperation in the field of footwear. He also expressed his goodwill that Italy is always willing to support the Vietnamese leather and footwear enterprises to promote cooperation with Italian businesses in the future as supporting technology transfer, signing cooperation in the field of production and distribution of high quality leather products.

Also in this international leather and footwear exhibition, the result of the cooperation project between Italian Trade Union, ASSOMAC Association of Italy and Vietnam Leather and Footwear Association (LEFASO) The first in Vietnam will be inaugurated in Binh Duong province. Italy will bring advanced machinery, science and technology as well as talented professionals in the footwear field to support Vietnam in its footwear business and production.

This event is aimed at realizing the commitment to promote and strengthen trade cooperation between the two countries of up to $ 6 billion between 2017 and 2018 signed by Vietnam and Italy during the visit of President Tran Dai. Quang arrived in Italy in November 2016.

Footwear is always one of the areas that Italian businesses are interested in investing in the Vietnamese market besides the garment sector. Italy with the experience of a country with many achievements in the footwear industry is eager to support Vietnamese enterprises to improve the quality of domestic and export products as well as promote joint activities and exchanges. trade between enterprises of the two countries in general and between Vietnamese enterprises in particular. International Leather Shoes will be a new opportunity for domestic and Italian footwear businesses to seek opportunities for cooperation in production and investment promotion in the future.