Basic information
The Czech Footwear and Leather Association (ČOKA) is an employers' and professional association of entrepreneurs in footwear and leather production and trade with its seat in the Czech Republic.
At present, the Czech Footwear and Leather Association (ČOKA) comprises approximately 57 companies and institutions concerned with manufacture, sale as well as research and testing of footwear, shoe materials and components in the territory of the Czech Republic.
The Czech Footwear and Leather Association was created as a voluntary group. Therefore, it defends its members‘ interests, secures their co-ordinated and unified course of action and acts as a main guarantor of the Czech Republic‘s shoe and leather industries in negotiations with authorities.
The Czech Footwear and Leather Association is a member of the European Confederation of the Footwear Industry (CEC). It is also a member of the International Union of Shoe Industry Technicians (UITIC).
The main range of services provided by the Association to member companies is as follows:
• organization of common attendance of exhibitions and fairs held in the Czech Republic as well as abroad under more favourable conditions;
• assistance in establishing business contacts with companies abroad (through Chambers of Commerce, footwear associations in the neighbouring countries, etc);
• arrangement of business contacts in the Czech Republic;
• provision of information from the database of manufacturers and sellers of footwear, leather fancy goods and related products;
• free advertising on the websites of Czech Footwear and Leather Association;
• publication of ČOKA member catalogue in the Czech and foreign languages;
• free distribution of the above catalogue in the Czech Republic and abroad;
• solving various shoe manufacturing problems in co-operation with Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Institute for Testing and Certification (ITC) and other professional workplaces;
• above-standard assessment and voluntary certification of footwear for children and adults;
• expert advice on footwear product advertisements;
• organization of technical lectures and courses;
• other services as required by members of the Czech Footwear and Leather Association.