Abicalçados (Brazilian Association of Shoe Manufacturers) operates as an advocate for the policies favored by the Brazilian shoe industry. It watches over the industry""s interests and acts directly on domestic and foreign issues pertaining to the industry""s activities.

The footwear manufacturers represented by Abicalçados are responsible for an annual production of approximately 770 million pairs of shoes, 212 million of which were exported in 2004. Around 130 different countries import shoes from Brazil, generating an inward flow of US$ 1.8 billion in revenues. Currently, 300,000 people are employed directly by the footwear industry in Brazil.