PORTUGUESE TEXTILE QUALITY TRAVELS TO TOKYO

The Autumn-Winter 22/23 collections of the FROM PORTUGAL delegation, which takes to Tokyo some of the greatest references in European textiles, will be one of the great attractions of the next edition of Jitac.

Among them is Adalberto, which, according to Tâmara Martins, from the company’s sales department, intends to “strengthen its presence in the Japanese market”. Adalberto expects “to return to business once more, with the same optimism experienced at the other fairs we participated in this year. However, Japan is still closed to visitors from many countries, so we are aware that we won’t encounter the most prolific scenario”, she adds, disclosing that Adalberto will present a collection with functional finishes that enhance the materials’ performance.

A regular at the Japanese fair is Lemar, which seeks to “consolidate its presence in this market”. “Although previous editions have been under the pandemic spectrum, the goals set by the company have been achieved, which shows our flexibility and resilience in demanding situations. We hope that the recovery brings us new challenges, freeing an already very selective market”, explains José António Ferreira, market manager at Lemar, which will present a new range of biodegradable and recycled fabrics.

Participating for the first time in Jitac is Lurdes Sampaio, which, according to Maria Sá, has its hopes high for a “positive recovery”. “The markets are busy, the customers are very active, and we are very confident”, discloses the company’s Managing Director, which will take sustainable innovations to Japan.

Texser, on the other hand, has been participating in Jitac for about six consecutive editions, and believes that “added-value quality products” are highly appreciated in this market. “This winter, we will present a collection of cotton and wool, raw organics or dyed yarn, and twisted yarns”, reveals Maria Carla Pimenta, hoping for good business at the Japanese fair.

Fitecom, in the words of João Carvalho, the company's CEO, is also confident that “JITAC is a good channel for entering the Japanese market, making it possible to contact numerous customers in three days”. In addition to the traditional fibrous compositions, Fitecom will present recycled fibres, natural wools and ecologically certified wools, as well as laminates.

Participating for the 17th time, Troficolor considers that JITAC is “fundamental to establish a connection with the Japanese market”. Ana Maria Magalhães, the company's export sales manager, recalls that “feedback has always been positive, and our products are very well received! We always establish very interesting contacts and, above all, the trust between us and our customers is always strengthened. This is a very important aspect in the commercial relationship with the Japanese market”, she adds.

Firmly believing that its products “widely serve the Asian market”, Le Europe /La Estampa returns with confidence to the Japanese textile fair. “We are looking for agents in this market, and also end customers”, reveals Ana Rita, from Satinskin, the company that owns Le Europe / La Estampa. “We are going to introduce a new way of working in this 'new normal', a more sustainable and online way through our digital MATCH platform. A new service solution in an assertive, intuitive and fast way”, she recalls.

The participation of Portuguese SME companies in JITAC is framed by the From Portugal project, an initiative of Selectiva Moda and ATP - Textile and Clothing Association of Portugal, which aims to promote the internationalization of Portuguese companies in the fashion area. The “From Portugal” project is co-financed by Portugal 2020, within the scope of Compete 2020 - Operational Program for Competitiveness and Internationalization, with an eligible support amount of € 11,042,311.82, of which € 6,065,501.91 comes from the European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund.