Footwear Industry in Valencia and Alicante Faces a Critical Turning Point
The Spanish footwear and leather goods sector is navigating a highly unsettled period driven by the covid crisis and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. AEC president Manual Román described the situation in direct terms, noting that the ground has become slippier and the outlook is unclear and challenging. He participated in a special commission at the Valencia Courts aimed at boosting the footwear industry and urged the forum to adopt a clear strategic plan. The plan would equip the sector with innovative capacity and strengthen its competitiveness and scale. Román also called for investments in the Alicante Trade Fair Authority, where Futurmoda is held, and pressed for improved facilities with a nod to the need for practical, high-quality infrastructure. The commission also highlighted the involvement of Diputación de Alicante and Carlos Mazón, the head of the Valencia regional party, with a focus on new EU sustainability rules. [Attribution: Valencia Courts Special Commission minutes]
The Valencian Cortes hosted a new gathering of the parliamentary committee charged with proposing a fresh business model to raise competitiveness for the shoe industry in the Community of Valencia. Given the difficult conditions, Román pointed out that many firms are in weaker financial positions and carrying debt. He stressed that 85 percent of the 1,200 companies and 19,000 direct jobs in this sub-sector are rooted in the Valencian Community, specifically within the Alicante province. He called for a plan that includes incentives for hiring, technology transfer, and market promotion, along with simpler access to financing and fewer bureaucratic hurdles. He urged avoiding dependence on banks and called for direct assistance or tax deductions to sustain the sector. [Attribution: Parliamentary committee briefing]
The discussion also centered on tightening control over imports of products that fail to meet established regulations and extending deadlines for ICO loan repayments. Acknowledging the tight financial squeeze, the officials warned that some companies risk drowning in repayment obligations if relief is not extended.
In another key topic, the committee examined the operating conditions of the IFA, the stage for Futurmoda. Román argued that ongoing updates are essential, noting current issues such as leaks and nonfunctional air conditioning. He described the situation as embarrassing for exhibitors, calling for a rapid improvement to avoid unnecessary inconveniences and incomplete arrangements lasting for years. [Attribution: Valencia economic development notes]
Carlos Mazón urged Consell to craft a master plan for transformation and sustainability to help the shoe sector withstand what he described as a legal wave coming from the EU. He stressed the need for substantial support rather than limited aid and argued that the industry should not be demonized. Mazón also proposed a tram project to connect Elche with the Business Park and expressed willingness to commission a study to present to the Generalitat.
Regarding Diputación’s role in footwear, the president emphasized that industrial matters fall outside its remit, but the body does make concrete moves. A notable action was the reduction of the IAE from 20 percent to 5 percent and the decision to invest directly in Futurmoda while promoting special offers, including promotions for children’s shoes.
Jesús Sellés, spokesman for PSPV Industry in Parliament, challenged Mazón, accusing him of lecturing on management while his own institution has not allocated a single euro to the industry. The exchange highlighted the tensions between regional authorities and the practical needs of footwear manufacturers in Valencia and Alicante. [Attribution: PSPV Parliamentary Debates]
Footwear producers in the Valencian region remain hopeful that coordinated action, better funding mechanisms, and a sturdy transformation plan will help the sector regain momentum. The emphasis on higher efficiency, targeted incentives, and stronger oversight of imports underscores a broader effort to align regional policy with EU sustainability directives while preserving local jobs and economic activity. These discussions, ongoing across committees and councils, reflect a shared aim: to stabilize a vital regional industry and to secure its place in the competitive European market. [Attribution: Regional Economic Strategy Briefs]