Moderate optimism in Kazakhstan: caution and some upturn signals to Shoes from Italy

A moderate optimism is in the air in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where Shoes from Italy is taking place, and where 48 Italian companies are participating and showcasing their summer collections. “Even with the challenges and the devaluation of the local currency we can’t complain, for now. We have buyers, orders, and down payments”, tells us Marino Fabiani, who leads Laboratorio Paesi CSI (part of Assocalzaturifici) with Arturo Venanzi. “Shoes from Italy remains a great opportunity for for the many small and mid-sized Italian companies that want to invest, innovate and become international”. Italy exported 340,000 pairs of shoes to Kazakhstan in 2016, for a value of 23 million Euros. Exports towards the country in the first six months of 2017 have increased by 3.1% in value and an encouraging 0.1% in quantity, all while the average price grew by 2.9%. Arturo Venanzi says: “Even though there is cautious mood going around, in this area, and at this time, we are finally seeing an increase of orders and for the next few months we have an obligation to look at the next few months in a positive way, knowing that there will be more stability in the marketplace”. Tomorrow is the last day of the fair. After Kazakhstan, Italian shoe-factories will be in Moscow, Russia at OBUV Mir Kozhi from October 24^th to the 27^th, and in Ukraine (Kiev), at Shoes from Italy (November 7^th and 8^th).