Technological advancements, along with improvement in safety standards and regulations by South African footwear and leather exporters, will drive safety footwear business expansion in the Middle East region, according to Mogobo Magabe, the South African Consulate General to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Speaking at a virtual exhibition to Saudi Arabia and the UAE last week, Magabe said that the purpose of the event was to promote South Africa’s industrial capabilities and position companies that manufactured footwear and leather products as suppliers of choice.
Footwear and leather exports from South Africa to the UAE increased significantly in 2020 despite the Covid-19 pandemic, amounting to $1.5 million from $500 000 in 2019. He said the numbers showed that the industry was proving resilient in the face of tough economic conditions.
“The overall apparel market in the UAE is forecast to reach $14 billion in 2024. Women’s footwear is expected to grow to $650 million by 2024. Shoes and boots in women’s footwear dominate the sales, and slippers and indoor footwear are expected to be the fastest growing, while men’s footwear will grow to $1.5 billion by 2024,” he said.
He added that there was also a growing market for industrial safety footwear, not only in the UAE, but also the whole Middle East region.
