A leathergoods Oscar for the Italian police

The contributions of top manufacturers and retailers are acknowledged when the Italian leathergoods industry hands out awards at the Mipel gala dinner held six monthly on the occasion of the Milan fair. Unusually, at the latest event, special tribute was paid to the police (the SCO, the Central Department of Criminal Police and the Anti-mafia Investigative Department). Reason for the accolade: in January, they discovered over 100 Chinese 'laboratories' on Italian territory. They were busy 'analysing' Italian products. Commenting separately on the issue of fair trade, ANCI chairman Rossano Soldini said footwear manufacturers were not asking for protectionism but for respect of the rules and reciprocity: 'In practical terms, the so-called great Chinese opportunity consists of 38 pairs per year for each Italian footwear manufacturer - or 71 minutes of work a year!' he added.