The Brazilian leather and footwear industry signals a positive scenario for the second half of 2022, after the 29th edition of the International Leather and Footwear Salon (SICC), held at the Centro de Eventos do Serra Park, in Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul. With 112 thousand visitors and with the presence of 200 importers from 30 countries, expositoras companies have ensured production for the coming months? including, some with sales agreed until October -. Some of the exhibitors present calculate that the volume traded in the SICC should be 30% higher than in 2019. The SICC is an opportunity for shopkeepers and distributors to know and buy products from the brands present. In issue 2022, SICC had 250 exhibitors and 1.4 thousand leather and footwear brands. Many brands take advantage of SICC's time to launch spring/summer trends. In addition to the colorful collections, well received by buyers and shopkeepers, there are other factors that can explain the increase in sales in this edition. Roberta mentions the United States interest in Brazilian products. ? The industry projects to grow by 3% this year, very closely linked to export, mainly to the United States, which did not want to become so dependent on China, because there has to be really zero covid, if it does not close everything. So they are looking for Brazilian footwear, due to quality and design. For our industry, it was fabulous, highlights the relationship director of Merkator Fairs and Events (promotor of the Hall), Roberta Pletsch Roberta, in an interview with Gaúcha ZH. According to data from the Brazilian Association of Footwear Industries (Abicalcados), Brazilian footwear exports grew by 68% in the period from January to April this year compared to the same period of 2021. The national segment received US$434.65 million for the sale of 53.72 million pairs, with the State being responsible for 46% of this amount. The SICC may have confirmed the indicatives that were noted in the sector. In the first quarter of 2022, again according to Abicalcados, the industry generated more than 17,000 jobs (in a sector that employs about 280 thousand people). In this scenario, Rio Grande do Sul is the largest employer of the period, with 6.1 thousand new jobs ? in a total of 82 thousand people working in this industry.