Background and Relevance of Víctor Gabriel Chedraui
Víctor Gabriel Chedraui, the Secretary of Economic Development and Labor (Sedetra) in Puebla, is spearheading an initiative to bolster the footwear industry in 20 municipalities. This sector, comprising 386 artisanal workshops, contributes significantly to regional development.
Government Commitment and Investments
The Puebla state government has pledged to distribute up to 700,000 pairs of shoes to basic education students by 2026. This commitment is part of a broader strategy to invest 70 million pesos in acquiring 300,000 pairs of school shoes from local workshops, benefiting over a million students from pre-school to high school.
Current Standing and Challenges
The footwear industry in Puebla ranks sixth nationally, generating an economic impact of 280 million pesos. However, it faces stiff competition from cheap, low-quality Chinese footwear imported illegally, affecting local workshops striving to professionalize their processes.
Combating Unfair Competition
To counteract this, Chedraui mentioned that the Secretary of Finance and the State Attorney General’s Office are launching a campaign to prevent the introduction of Chinese shoes and textiles. The goal is to ensure that contraband footwear, estimated at over 60 million pairs, does not flood the market.
Strengthening the Zapatero Sector
In Tehuacán and Tepeyahualco, two municipalities with a significant footwear sector, local workshops have agreed to form a cooperative to bolster their production chain. Currently, 164 companies in these municipalities generate around 1,600 jobs, with plans to expand alongside smaller regional workshops.
Future Plans and Benefits
The cooperative aims to establish a leather tanning and curing enterprise, incorporating a wastewater treatment system for agricultural use. This initiative will not only strengthen the production chain but also bring additional benefits to producers in Puebla’s interior, previously overlooked for public resources.
Promoting Local Consumption
Chedraui emphasized the importance of local businesses promoting Puebla-made footwear and eradicating the sale of pirated goods in local markets, which cause long-term economic damage.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is leading the initiative? Víctor Gabriel Chedraui, Secretary of Economic Development and Labor (Sedetra) in Puebla.
- What is the goal of the initiative? To strengthen the footwear industry in 20 Puebla municipalities by creating a leather tanning and curing enterprise and distributing school shoes to students.
- What challenges does the industry face? Unfair competition from cheap, low-quality Chinese footwear imported illegally.
- How is the government addressing these challenges? By launching a campaign to prevent the introduction of Chinese shoes and textiles and promoting local consumption.
