Opportunities for Asian footwear

With the European Union applying anti-dumping charges to footwear from China and Vietnam, other countries in Asia were discovering an upsurge in business even before the taxes came into force. At a press conference at the APLF in Hong Kong at the end of March the host country India was asked how they viewed the European move. They responded by saying that they saw it as an opportunity. The Thai pavilion also reported a welcome rise in footwear business. Adidas, Germany, have opened two new factories in Indonesia under the names PT Poong Won Indonesia and PT Spotec, and Puma are also reported as about to commence production there. Exports of Indonesian footwear could reach nearly $3 billion this year if domestic manufacturers can take full advantage of the new opportunities in the EU.