FRANCESCO MARCHI AND DEPUTY MINISTER EVGENI ANGELOV

The ninth BGate – a unique specialized apparel and textiles exhibition is being held on 16-18 September 2010 at Inter Expo Centre, Sofia, Bulgaria.

The Exhibition was officially opened today by Mr. Evgeni Angelov, Deputy Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism, Mr. Francesco Marchi, Director General of EURATEX, Mrs. Valeria Zhekova, Chairperson of the Bulgarian Association of the Apparel and Textile Producers and Exporters (BAATPE) and Mr. Ivailo Ivanov, Deputy director of Inter Expo Centre – co-organizer of the Exhibition.

A great number of leading brands exhibit their products – Amann, Veni Style, Diogen, Avery Dennison, Intertex, I.N.А. Trading, Carina, Chris Fashion, Migrolio, Magic, Rollman, Top Man, National Union of worker producers co-operatives, etc. Companies’ members of the South-East Bulgaria Apparel and Textile Industrial Organization (SEBATIO), among them such as Vital, Siven, Boda Style, Pyros, Nitex and Valena are also resented. Partners and traders from Germany, Belgium, Israel, Austria, Italy, France, Finland, the Netherlands, Rumania, Turkey and the Balkan states are also attending the Exhibition.

“Quite few of the industry sectors in Bulgaria can boast of having stepped on international markets the way the textile industry has. Over 90% of its products are manufactured on orders placed by foreign partners and this gives ground for reasonable optimism”, said Evgeni Angelov, Deputy Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism.

“You should be proud of having an apparel sector which is of key importance for the future of Bulgaria and for the entire European textile industry. The new European Strategy for the Danube Region opens new marvellous opportunities for Bulgaria and for the textile sector to raise their role and competitiveness,” said at the official opening Francesco Marchi, Director General of EURATEX.

Data for the development of the sector also supports his opinion. According to official data of the National Statistic Institute the textile sector in Bulgaria consists of 5400 companies, 4700 of them for apparel, and 90% of them being small or medium-sized enterprises. As at 1 July 2010 the persons directly employed in the sector were 113 260, constituting 5% of all people employed in Bulgaria and 19.3% of those employed in industry. The textile industry accounted for 12.6% of the total exports of Bulgaria in 2009, the main trading partners in the apparel and textile sector being EU member states – Italy, Greece, Germany, etc.

At the same time, data from a non-representative survey of members of BAATPE shows that 50% of the companies in the sector plan to make investment in 2010-2011. The survey also shows that 72% of the companies export products for the medium price segment, and 24% - for the high price segment. Among the elite brands produced in Bulgaria are Boss, Prada, Mexx, Joop, MaxMara, Guess, Sonia Rykiel, Vivienne Westwood, etc.

On this occasion Valeria Zhekova, Chairperson of BAATPE, addressed the participants and guests of BGate with the words: “The textile sector is among the major employers in this country and it is one of the few sectors, whose products reach the European customers directly. In my opinion this has been a successful year for our sector not only because of the indications that we are overcoming the economic decline, but also because of the high level of the Exhibition this year. The arrival to Bulgaria of key figures of the European structures is a clear sign of the growing influence of the Bulgarian textile industry on the European market and of its potential for future growth. I would like to thank our colleagues and the members of BAATPE for the high professional standards and optimism manifested in their work.”

Besides the numerous manufacturers, the Exhibition has brought together representatives of European sectoral associations, the European Commission, the European Textile and Apparel Organization EURATEX, delegations from the Balkan states and representatives of the Bulgarian state administration to participate in the key events of BGate 2010. Two important events of the international calendar of EURATEX will be held on 16 and 17 September 2010, as part of the working programme of the Exhibition – the working meeting with delegations from the Balkan states and the working meeting of the Technical Clothing Group EURATEX with representatives of the European sectoral organizations of the Netherlands, Rumania, Italy, Albania, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria and Germany.

In addition to the work programme of the Exhibition, a Fashion Show is planned for the evening of 16 September, where the Spring/Summer 2011 collections of leading Bulgarian fashion companies will be presented.

Besides being a unique sectoral forum in Bulgaria, BGate is also a major platform for the development of the textile sector, ensuring a forum for meetings and direct communication among the representatives of the sector. Among the main objectives of BGate 2010 is the aim to assist business contacts between the representatives of the sector, to present the Bulgarian enterprises and demonstrate the advantages and opportunities for investment and manufacturing in Bulgaria, as well as to facilitate the establishment of direct contacts with partners and enhance the international relations between the European and Balkan states.

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About BAATPE

The Bulgarian Association of Apparel and Textile Producers and Exporters (BAATPE) is a voluntary association whose mission is to represent and protect the interests of its members and of the sector as a whole. BAATPE was established in 1999 and with its activity has contributed to the development and strengthening of the sector. BAATPE is an associated member of the European Textile and Apparel Organization EURATEX and is a full-fledged member of the largest world organization in the sector - the International Apparel Federation (IAF). BAAPTE is also a member of the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA), the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and of the Council of Sectoral Organizations of BCCI, of the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria (CEIB). The Association maintains close relations with the Agency for Promotion of SMEs, the German Society for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), The German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and other NGOs and similar European organizations. Approximately 200 companies are members of BAAPTE, as well as 2 regional sectoral unions through which another 32 companies are associated members.

For additional information:

Deliana Petrova
International projects and activities, BAATPE

tel.: ( + 359  2) 969 31 61 ; 969  31 66

E-mail: d.petrova@bgtextiles.org