The Italy-Viet Nam Footwear Technology Centre was inaugurated on July 12 at the Lefaso Centre in Binh Duong Province, and it will promote research and development of leather-shoe products and train workers in the use of modern machinery. — VNS Photo

The Italian Trade Agency, the National Association of Manufacturers of Footwear, Leather Goods and Tanning Technologies and the Viet Nam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (LEFASO) inaugurated the Italy-Viet Nam Footwear Technology Centre at the Lefaso Centre in Binh Duong Province’s Di An District on July 12.

With its experience in the leather industry, Italy will assist Vietnamese companies in improving product quality through collaboration and the launch of the centre, which will enable technology transfer, consultancy and training of trainers.

The centre is equipped with modern machinery and equipment imported directly from Italy and other European countries, allowing small and medium-sized enterprises in the leather-footwear industry to approach, research and develop new products.

The centre also joins hands with the HCM City Industry and Trade College to organise training programmes for staff in charge of production, design and product development at footwear enterprises, apprising them about leading global design and manufacturing trends.

Diep Thanh Kiet, vice president of LEFASO, said: “The Vietnamese footwear industry has a wonderful chance to strengthen its trade relations with Italy in particular and the European Union in general.

“Italy is the fashion centre of the world, and so expansion of trade between Viet Nam and Italy in the field of footwear is very necessary. Bilateral trade has developed quite well in recent years. In 2016 Viet Nam exported more than US$380 million worth of leather-footwear products to Italy, or 8 per cent of its total exports to the EU market.”

The idea of establishing the centre took shape two years ago during a meeting of the Italy-Viet Nam Intergovernmental Committee in Ha Noi. — VNS