Luis Onofre was unanimously re-elected for another
two years as CEC President during the virtual General Assembly held on 25th
June 2021.
Head of the luxury footwear brand Luis Onofre Shoes
and President of the Portuguese Footwear, Components and Leather Goods Association
(APICCAPS), Onofre’s first term was marked by an unprecedented sanitary and
economic crisis. Covid-19 did not spare the European footwear industry and
coordinating efforts to ensure that European government’s responses are robust
and targeted enough to support the European footwear industry has been a
definite priority of Onofre’s first mandate. Such efforts also concentrated on
claiming to the EU institutions for free and fair trade, and a European
Industrial Strategy with instruments and complementary regulations to support
the green and digital transitions of our companies, without forgetting the
regular activities to increase the attractiveness of the sector toward young
generations. Taking stock on his first mandate, Luis Onofre confirmed that
"these two years have been most difficult for our sector, but we need to
continue looking for opportunities to innovate while investing in our people”.
Uphold Free and Fair Trade
A system that relies on open trade based on
rules and where global trade partners operate on a level-playing field is the
best possible constellation for the European footwear industry to both flourish
at home and grow internationally.
When it comes to open trade, the CEC closely
worked with European decision-makers and advocates to push forward the
EU-Mercosur Association Agreement and speed its ratification process. An
important agreement for economic and geopolitical reasons alike, the Mercosur
trade agreement is highly praised by European footwear companies and an
excellent opportunity for the EU to promote its values and environmental
standards while contribute to the sustainability of the economic model of
Mercosur countries. Another strategic market for EU footwear is the US, and
with the new US President, it is expected to soon restore the trans-Atlantic
alliance. The CEC and their American counterparts are committed to actively
partake in relaunching trade relations together with European and American
public authorities.
