Footwear, the main export sector of Alicante province, was already showing signs of slowing down before the outbreak of the coronavirus, but the health crisis accelerated that process until the industry pulled the strings. Therefore, the Valencia Courts, after nearly a year and a half of work, decided to set up a special commission to review the business model and increase its competitiveness. problems like promotion of education, innovation or foreign sales are some of the pillars on which the document is based, including: measures to combat the informal economysuch as the establishment of a specific labor inspection unit. In any case, all proposals should be included in Generalitat’s plan to support this industry, which includes assistance to companies.
The commission, made up of deputies from all regional groups, was attended by business, trade union and political representatives, as well as technicians. After listening to them all, an opinion emerged. unanimously approved this mondayso the Botà nic Government makes it its own and encourages the different proposed measures.
The report analyzes the strong impact of the pandemic on footwear with a 40% drop in sales, and the complex context created by the war in Ukraine, which destabilized markets and led to a severe energy crisis. All this concludes that if before the health crisis the challenges for the industry were already extraordinary, today. Adaptation to the new global economic framework is essential. through a reinvention based on digitalisation, changes in consumption habits and sustainable industry.
With this background, the commission, in the business models section, urgently develop a strategic plan for the sector With the support of Generalitat and unlike textiles, increasing border controls to prevent the entry of products under unfair competition conditions and disseminating real education support plans to cover generational change.
However, the topic of training is analyzed in more depth in the talent section, with topics such as increasing and diversifying the offer offered by Generalitat. tailoring courses to the needs of companies and continuous improvement of working conditions.
The document also devotes a large portion to innovation. 50% of companies do not invest more than 15,000 Euros in this land It is due to the fragmentation of the sector with 90% of SMEs and micro SMEs with low investment capacity. Therefore, encouraging private investment in innovation and digitalization, increasing programs and lines of support that promote cooperation with public universities across all processes, and Launch of the National Footwear Reference Center project in Elche.
In the field of digitalization and internationalization, the committee’s opinion makes the following recommendations: deepen the development of international free trade agreements and to promote the use of the Spanish brand. Reference is also made to one of the issues raised by several apparent parties, for example: Creating a great shoe fair at IFA to consolidate the international image of the sector.
In terms of sustainability, it was emphasized that the sunken economy should be eliminated in order for the economy to be socially fair, and it was suggested to establish a labor inspection unit specialized in the sector. Precautions are also recommended supporting the circular economy and recycling of waste and promoting a financing pipeline for the purchase of machinery and sustainable processes.
In the public administrations department, assistance was offered for contracting and investment in R&D and R&D, and for the presence of a Valencian delegation when negotiating trade deals in Brussels. Defending the sectoral strategic interests of the Community.
Source: Informacion
Christina Moncayo is a contributing writer for “Social Bites”. Her focus is on the gaming industry and she provides in-depth coverage of the latest news and trends in the world of gaming.