The regional government explains that there is an open line of innovation aid in the sector to enhance industrial design.


    The director of the Info, Joaquín Gómez, said this morning after visiting four footwear companies in Moratalla and Caravaca that in the last year have grown the number of these companies from 90 to 121 in the first quarter compared to the previous , which coincides with the plan «Murcia Calzado».

   «Two of the main axes of this plan are the impetus to the modernization of a sector characterized by the quality of its products with a specific bet to introduce the technologies 4.0 and the promotion of the internationalization, betting to consolidate markets Traditional like France, Italy or the United Kingdom, and diversify and capture new emerging markets, «said Joaquín Gómez.

   During the visit, the Director of the Regional Development Agency explained to the businessmen and members of the Association two of the latest initiatives implemented within the ‘ Murcia Calzado ‘ plan.

   In terms of innovation, the Info is open from the end of last May, and until next August 21st, a line of aid to promote industrial design among SMEs in the sector.

   The program, endowed with a budget of 300,000 euros, envisages on the one hand supports of up to 20,000 euros to promote the hiring of external services of innovation and a second modality, with AIDS of up to 50,000 euros, to stimulate the incorporation of Research staff or the purchase of equipment and materials that consolidate the design and innovation activities.

   In terms of internationalisation, the companies in the regional footwear sector will participate for the first time, next August, at the Magic Platform International Fair in Las Vegas, with more than 700 exhibitors and 1,600 brands from over 20 countries around the world , is one of the important quotes of this sector in the American market.

   The participation in this fair, whose call is open until next July 26, is added to the organization last September to the fair of footwear in Milan.

   In addition, and for the second semester of the year, the plan contemplates the Organization for the first time of a trade mission to Australia and a ‘ showroom ‘ in the United Kingdom to promote the region of Murcia brand.

   These promotional actions, as well as the organization of trade missions focused on this sector, made exports of regional footwear increase up to 14 percent over the last year, he explained.

   In the first four months of this year, sales in international markets amounted to 47,890,000 euros.

Source: LaOpinióndeMurcia.es