PORTUGUESE TEXTILES WITH REINFORCED PRESENCE IN THE BALTIC

Portugal could not miss the call of Baltic Fashion & Textile, the largest textile fair in the Baltic states. Between October 18^th and 20^th, the Portuguese industry will be represented in Vilnius, Lithuania, by a delegation of textiles and clothing companies and a showcase of innovative products organized by CITEVE.

Dilina, Familitex, Joaps, José de Abreu & Filhos, Lipaco, LMA, Myako, Solinhas e Têxteis Giestal are the companies that leave to Vilnius looking for new contacts and business opportunities. About 11,000 visitors are expected to attend, among businessmen, buyers, designers and journalists from the Baltic states, but also from various peripheral regions.

Among the Portuguese exhibitors, Lipaco is the only veteran in a group full of debutantes. This emergence of new companies is the evidence that the Baltic markets are becoming each day more and more appealing to the Portuguese exports. "We bet on this fair for the access that it has always given us to the Baltic and Russian markets," explains Jorge Pereira, Lipaco’s CEO. In Vilnius, the company specialized in sewing and knitting yarns hopes to get in contact with its current customers and continue to take new steps towards the internationalization process.

With the modernization and European integration, the Eastern countries are increasingly affirming itself as privileged markets for the commercial interests of the Portuguese companies, and Dilina, marking its presence for the first time at Baltic, is no exception. "Lithuania and its neighboring countries are emerging and looking for quality products," says António Dinis, Dilina’s Managing Partner, which at Baltic will present a collection of sheets, duvet covers and various felts.

In the rookie’s group, Joaps decided to participate for the first time in this fair to boost its sales. "We are currently exporting to these markets, but we want to increase our volume of business in Lithuania, Norway and Denmark," explains Carla Araújo, the company's representative. At Baltic, the company will present its new Autumn/Winter collection, as well as a selection of technical and functional fabrics, organic articles and recycled fibers.

Myako is another company looking to expand its portfolio. The company, which owns the Teen Spirit clothing brand, seeks to diversify its markets and to attract new customers, especially in the Baltic countries and Finland, two regions considered strategic by the company.

In the home textile department, Giestal Home Textiles seeks to attract the buyer’s attention with a new collection of bedding and decorative blankets. "Although we already have some clients in the region, we hope to be able to explore the potential of this growing market", explains Fátima Freitas, the company’s commercial, showing optimism regarding Giestal's presence in Vilnius.

Accompanying the business delegation "From Portugal", the ITechStyle Showcase, a showcase organized by CITEVE with innovative products from several national textile companies, will also be presented in Vilnius. A. Sampaio - Adalberto - Bordados Oliveira – Coltec – Envicorte – Eurobotónia – Joaps - JSB Oliveira - Lemar – Lipaco – LMA – Louropel - Lurdes Sampaio – NGS – Penteadora - Riopele - Somelos – Tintex will be the companies represented in this space.

The Portuguese companies participation in Baltic Fashion & Textile Vilnius is an initiative of Selectiva Moda and ATP - Textile and Clothing Association of Portugal, which aims to promote the internationalization of Portuguese fashion companies. The project “From Portugal” is co-financed by Portugal 2020, under Compete 2020 - Operational Program for Competitiveness and Internationalization, with an eligible support amount of €12,118,285.17, of which €6,695,352.55 comes through the European Regional Development Fund.