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Textile Industry:Business Opportunities in Lithuania
Vilnius January 2003
Lithuania: biggest country in the Baltic States with old industry traditions• Lithuania is the largest country in the Baltic
States with 3.5 million inhabitants• The history of textile industry in Lithuania
dates back to the19th century when the first linen and wool mills were established
• Today more than 50,000 people and 1,500 enterprises work within the textile industry in Lithuania
• Lithuanian textile industry provides a wide range of products: in textile (cotton, wool, linen, silk yarn and fabrics), sewing (clothing, upholstery, home textile) and knitwear (underwear, sportswear, socks, tights, jackets) sectors
• Sewing sector dominates textile industry in Lithuania: it produces 55% of total textile industry output
Textile industry production in 2001
55%28%
11% 6%
Sewing
Textile
Knitwear
Leather goodand footwear
Sweden is one of the main trade partners for Lithuanian light industry
• Local market is rather small to absorb the production of textile industry, thus access to export markets is a key element for ensuring successful operations
• In 2001 export of Lithuanian light industry enterprises reached 3.3 BLTL, which is 9% more than in 2000
• About 85 % of light industry export is directed to EU countries
• From January 1, 1998 trade in textile products with EU has been completely liberalized
• Germany, Denmark, UK and Sweden are the main trade partners of Lithuanian light industry
• In 2001 9% of the light industry export was directed to Sweden
33.3
3.1
2.3
2.83.1
0
1
2
3
4
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Export of Lithuanian light industry 1996-2001 BLTL
Source: Verslo Zinios, Business Daily, Januray 9th,2001, January 14, 2002
General overview
Lithuanian textiles are well known internationally
• Experience and expertise in the textile industry are extensive in Lithuania• Lithuanian knitwear producers are able to provide not only skilled labor force, but to
manufacture final products satisfying the demand of customers all over Europe• A large number of international companies, such as Adidas, Vero Moda, H&M, KappAhl are
working with Lithuanian companies • H&M has an outsourcing office for Eastern Europe in Vilnius. Lithuania is their main trade
partner in the Baltic States• More than 900 foreign companies have invested in joint-ventures with Lithuanian textile
enterprises. • Most Lithuanian companies work on CMT basis
LATIA unites 80% of light industry enterprises
• Lithuanian Apparel and Textile Industry Association:
– represents its members to international organizations ( unites 175 companies)
– assists members in search of foreign partners and distributors
– organizes two large trade fairs in Lithuania: Baltic Textile and Leather (September 11-14, 2003) and Lithuanian Fashions (March 1-4, 2003)
– promotes economical, technological and social development of light industry enterprises
– In December 3, 2001 LATIA became an associated member of EURATEX
Lithuanian Apparel and Textile Industry Association (LATIA)
Address: Saltoniskiu 29/3LT-2677 Vilnius, Lithuania
Tel: +370 5 2 751877
Fax: +370 5 2 721127E-mail: [email protected]: www.lpia.lt
General overview
• Textile industry development in Lithuania stipulates the demand for more advanced technologies
• Shift from mass-produced, standard to more customized, high quality products increases the need of high quality materials
• Swedish companies can improve competitiveness of their products, utilizing key advantages of Lithuanian market:
– competent and skilled labor force– experience and expertise in working with international companies – geographical proximity– low operating, especially labor costs– well developed infrastructure
Industry development opens up new opportunities
“We make it easier for Swedish companies to grow
internationally”
Exportrådet VilniusVokieciu 26
LT-2001 VilniusLitauen
tel.: +370 5 212 61 55fax: +370 5 212 66 97
e-mail: [email protected]
http://www.swedishtrade.se
