The new Commissioner responsible for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs received the Presidents of the European Fashion and Creative Industries Associations. CEC (footwear), COTANCE (leather), ECCIA (cultural and creative industries), EURATEX (textile and clothing) and Fur Europe were gathered during the event.

The Forum results from the agreement under the Action Plan for Fashion and High-End Industries (elaborated by the Commission and the industries in 2013). Commissioner Biénkowska demonstrated a clear interest on the activities and success stories undertaken by the stakeholders since then, as well as on joint initiatives that should next be prioritised in order to tackle the challenges and opportunities of these sectors.

El?bieta Bie?kowska emphasized the full Commission’s support to the participants: “You are a strategic sector and represent what Europe does best: quality and creativity with high value. Many small companies are leaders in their niche markets in Europe and globally.”

Speaking at the event, CEC’s President, Cleto Sagripanti, considered key that Commission and EU national governments support the reshoring of footwear manufacturing to Europe. “Indeed it is essential that not only the Commission, but also national administrations support the reshoring of footwear manufacturing to Europe. We need to bring back production. Our European products are appreciated worldwide as show the export statistics to third countries”, Mr Sagripanti said.

In his intervention, Mr. Sagripanti also underlined the daily research that footwear companies undertake in order to create innovative products and remain competitive. He urged the Commission to support them with adequate funding schemes that effectively reach the SMEs, and called for a joint action to attract new skilled generations to the footwear industry.

Other subjects discussed by the participants included the need to continue fighting counterfeiting and copies of models, the opening of strategic third markets while ensuring that a level playing field is respected, and the establishment of a well-functioning Digital Single Market to boost secure and easy cross border online sales.