Aug. 22 – The fashion sector is Italy’s most important export to Ukraine, and the shoe department rules above the others. In the first 9 months of 2012, exports increased from €70 mln to €73 mln, +3.8%. A leader in the upper-middle section, the fact that Italian imports increased while others decreased testifies to the real market power of the country’s brands. Launched in 2002 during the Independent Italian Shoe Show of Ukraine, the Shoes From Italy Kiev project was organized by Assocalzaturifici and ICE. Together they allowed a number of Italian shoe companies to enter the Ukranian market and benefit from its 50 million consumers. The event has become an essential instrument to meet with the most important local buyers, who do not necessarily also participate in the greater region’s dedicated event, Obuv’ Mir Koži, in Moscow. Among the Italian companies planning their participation this year, there are also the ones from the Marche Region, representing Italy’s largest shoe district. The Macerata Chamber of Commerce delegated its Special Agency EX.IT to promote Macerata companies’ participation in the autumn edition of Shoes From Italy Kiev, scheduled for Nov. 3-4. The participating firms will have access to a ready-made stand of 12 m2, they will also benefit from the fair’s assistance program, they will have their logo place on local advertisements, their products will be displayed in the general catalogue, and they will receive an invitation to selected events with local operators.
