PORTUGAL IN COLOMBIA

From the 27th to 29th January, four Portuguese textile companies will be attending the Latin America's trade fair, Columbiatex. Fimatex, Global Fios, Idepa and Ribera are travelling to Colombia with the support of Associação Selectiva Moda, within the From Portugal internationalisation project, supported by NSRF.

Colombiatex de las Américas, organised by Inexmoda, will take place at Plaza Mayor, in Medellín, a city renowned for its economic and cultural dynamism. 

The South American market, Columbia in particular, has been one of the priorities of the FROM PORTUGAL project since 2011, and 2015 is no exception. Colombiatex is the perfect platform for raw material producers seeking to conquer the Latin American market.

Global Fios, which is making its debut at Columbiatex, believes its participation is worthwhile, since it is one of the geographical area's most important trade fairs. With regard to expectations, «they are positive, as we believe that we can take added value with us in terms of innovative products which will be welcomed by this growing market», states Ricardo Silva, company manager. 

Idepa, a newcomer to the market, is also seeking to broaden its scope of activity and to open its doors to «countries beyond Europe, in the South American market in particular», states Ana Paula Pires, the company's marketing manager.

Fimatex is making its debut in Colombia with its collection of threads for circular knits, weaving, spinning and tights. 

Ribera, a regular exhibitor at the trade fair, returns with its agent aiming to consolidate its position in the market in regard to lace and embroidery for the clothing and home textiles industry.

The trade fair boasts 9600 m2 of trade exhibition space, with around 500 exhibitors participating in the event. Colombiatex presents an innovative concept, since it believes that we are facing an era of change, where fashion should reinvent itself at the pace of progress.

The last edition attracted approximately 26,000 visitors, with the same number being expected in 2015.

The participation of Portuguese companies in COLOMBIATEX is an initiative promoted by Associação Selectiva Moda with the support of European funds (NSRF), within the From Portugal project, and is part of a series of more than 87 international activities in 2014/2015, covering the entire textile and fashion sector, spread over four continents - Europe, Asia, Africa and America - with a total investment of 12 million euros.