Local shoemakers taking giant steps towards recognition

KUALA LUMPUR: Design and quality are the keywords in the Malaysian footwear industry’s new marketing strategy, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said. She said this was to avoid getting into a price war with China, which had lower labour and production costs. “Local producers are placing more emphasis on producing quality footwear and saleable designs,” she said, adding that Malaysia was strongly geared to becoming a top footwear exporter to other Asean countries. She said Malaysia’s total shoe sales was about RM1.1bil annually.

“Some RM600mil is from exports while RM500mil is from the domestic market,” she told a media briefing for the coming Malaysia International Shoe Festival (MISF) 2011. The minister said the booming footwear industry had witnessed the emergence of many successful local brands with strong capabilities in product development, distinctive style and superior craftsmanship. “There are currently about 1,000 footwear manufacturers in Malaysia with an annual production capacity of 70 million pairs,” she said.

Also present was Tourism Ambassador Datuk Jimmy Choo, whose London-based couture collection will be showcased as a special collection at MISF 2011 at the Putra World Trade Centre here from April 7 to 10. The fair, themed “Walking in Unity - Sole of the Nation”, will have over 166 booths and more than 50 local footwear labels such as Zang Toi, Larrie, Carlo Rino, Nose and Dr Cardin.

Also of interest during the festival will be the “Mystery Shoe Box” and the search for the MISF Cinderella – where a pair of nine-inch high-heeled shoe will be waiting for “Miss Cinderella”. Meanwhile, Dr Ng said that there would be no visa requirements for Taiwanese tourists and businessmen who fly in for recreational and business purposes. “However, this does not apply to Taiwanese government servants,” she clarified, adding that this would not affect Malaysia-China relations.
-thestar online.