OREANDA-NEWS. November 02, 2009. Italian footwear company Baldinini Srl. has plans to establish a footwear production in Belarus, president of the company Gimmi Baldinini told reporters before his meeting with Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky in Minsk, reported the Official website government.by.

Gimmi Baldinini said that he visited Marko factory and liked it very much. “I was very surprised at technological changes that have taken place here for the past 18 years. Today Marko applies the technologies as Italian producers,” said the Italian businessman.

As for the business environment in Belarus, Gimmi Baldinini said: “We do not see any obstacles for our business here.” He also said that he came to Belarus to discuss the concrete lines of cooperation. “So far I have visited Marko only. We were not considering other Belarusian companies.

According to him, if Marko and Baldinini reach an agreement on cooperation, Belarus-made Italian shoes may hit the shelves of shoe stores in the near future.”

These issues were discussed at a meeting of Gimmi Baldinini and Sergei Sidorsky. The Belarusian Prime Minister said that Belarus has been doing a lot to develop the footwear industry. On the whole, the government pursue a policy of liberalization of the Belarusian economy, creates the conditions so that Belarusian goods could meet the European requirements.
“Your visit will give an impetus to development of the Belarusian footwear industry,” said Sergei Sidorsky. He noted that many of the Belarusian footwear companies were set up with foreign capital.

Marko possesses a wide experience in working with German and Chinese companies, the Prime Minister said. The factory has recently increased the footwear production several-fold and extended the range of goods.

At present the Belarusian companies produce about 11 million pairs of footwear annually and export almost the same number of shoes.

Baldinini company is a family enterprise. It was created in San Mauro Pascoli (Italy) in 1910, where its main production facilities are still located. It produces high-quality elite leather footwear and accessories of the medium and high price category for men and women. The goods are notable for the elegant design and are considered one of most prestigious in Europe and in the world.

Baldinini turnover amounts to EUR50 million per year. The company employs more than 300 people. About 80% of the production is exported.

Baldinini operates in the markets of the CIS and Eastern European countries and possesses correspondingly 43 and 19 entities of the monobrand commodity distribution network. Despite of the crisis, this network continues to extend: in H1 2009 the company opened five new stores working on franchise (three in Russia, one in Ukraine and one in Estonia).

The company remains the leader of the footwear industry in Italy due to the high quality of goods, brand image and policy of establishing stores in different countries of the world. The financial situation is rather stable and it allows further expansion of the brand.