Portuguese textile exports to reach €5bn by 2018: ATP

21 Jan '14

2 min read

The textile and clothing industry of Portugal has been recovering and would achieve the export target of € 5 billion by the year 2018, according to the Textile and Apparel Association of Portugal (ATP).

Joao Costa, president of ATP, said the textile and clothing sector of the country will get back to creating more jobs, after a decade of losing jobs and entrepreneurs in Portugal expect to reach the goal of € 5 billion by 2018, indicating a growth of 16.2 percent compared to 2013, reports Dinheiro Vivo.

The textile industry of the country would be able to achieve this target through a campaign to increase sales of Portuguese textile and apparel goods in non-European markets, he added.

Mr. Costa explained that the textile sector of the country has been gradually recovering, as the sector ended the year 2013 with exports totaling € 4.3 billion, indicating a rise of 3.5 percent compared to 2012.

Another sign towards the recovery of the sector is the return of internationally renowned brands such as Nike and Adidas, who are looking for setting up production centers in the country, he added.

According to the ATP official, the textile and clothing industry of the country has been able to create new jobs during 2013, and the trend is expected to continue in 2014.

During the 90s, the textile industry of the country provided employment to 350,000 people, whereas currently the sector employs only 155,000, representing a loss of approximately 10,000 jobs per year, he added.

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