Portuguese Exports of Textiles to China Grew by 37 Percent During The First Eight Months

Portuguese exports of textiles and clothing to China grew by 37 percent during the first eight months of 2013 and touched over €50 million, according to the Shanghai Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade of Portugal (AICEP).

Filipe Santos Costa, a delegate from the AICEP, said the increase in exports from Portugal to China can be attributed to the rise in participation of Portuguese textile and clothing firms at Chinese trade fairs, reports Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Noticias.

Mr. Santos said eight Portuguese firms participated in this year’s ‘Intertextile Shanghai 2013’ which is one of the most important exhibitions worldwide for the textiles sector.

Portugal has had a success as a provider of leading international brands in China, and there is an increase in the number of Portuguese companies having a direct presence in the country and exporting products under their own brands, he added.

Nearly 3,700 exhibitors from 35 countries participated at the Intertextile Shanghai 2013, including Portugal. Portuguese firms such as Arco Texteis, Gierlings Velpor, Lemar, Riopele, Somelos, Teviz, Textil Serzedelo and Troficolor showcased their products at the fair.

The participation of the Portuguese companies at the fair was an initiative promoted by Associacao Selectiva Moda with the support of European funds (Qren), under the project ‘From Portugal’. The project includes more than 60 international actions planned for 2013, which cover the entire textile and fashion chain, from yarns to fabrics, apparel, home textiles and technical textiles.