Assocalzaturifici, the association of Italian footwear manufacturers, is busy with another international fair after exhibiting at Moscow's Obuv' Mir Kozhi footwear and leather trade show, Russia's premier event for Italian footwear. The next stop is Kiev, the Ukraine, where the association will showcase 19 companies and their 25 brands at the 'Shoes From Italy' event, on 12th and 13th October at the Fairmont Grand Hotel.

'Shoes From Italy' is organised in partnership with ICE, the Italian Foreign Trade Agency. It is a B2B event specific for footwear and leather goods companies operating in the CIS region, and it represents the main gateway to the Ukrainian market for many small and medium-sized Italian manufacturers. The business outlook in Kiev is favourable: after two difficult years, during which the market hit rock bottom, in the first six months of 2016 the Ukraine has shown signs of an encouraging recovery.

In the period in question, Italian footwear exports to the Ukraine were worth over €21 million, equivalent to a 21% increase over the same period last year. For the whole of 2015, exports topped the €36 million mark, with an average price per pair of €81, one of the highest among Italy's export markets.

Assocalzaturifici's regional activities within the CIS will end with the 'Shoes From Italy' event from 19th to 21st October in Almaty, Kazakhstan's business capital, with the participation of 28 footwear manufacturers.