FBI Hosts Export Seminar
Spain has one of Europe’s fastest-growing economies and a population hungry for California-style apparel, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Representatives from the Department of Commerce and Fashon Business Inc. (FBI) held a seminar May 21 at the New Mart fashion theater to encourage Los Angeles apparel manufacturers to participate in Madrid’s International Fashion Week from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
For the first time, the Department of Commerce is putting together a pavilion with 20 booths for U.S. apparel and accessories manufacturers. So far, American Apparel and Vans Inc. have indicated they would be interested in participating, said Leticia Arias, international trade specialist for the U.S. Commercial Ser vice, a division of the Department of Commerce in Los Angeles.
“Spain has become the 10th largest economy in the world,” Arias said.
She said El Corte Ingles, one of Spain’s major department-store chains, feels it has lost out on the activewear and sportswear trend and is setting aside $30 million to buy merchandise in this category.
The cost to participate in the U.S. pavilion is $1,992, which includes booth construction and trade-show promotion.
For information on the trade show, visit www.simm.ifema.es, or call the U.S. Commercial Ser vice in Los Angeles at (310) 235-7204. —Deborah Belgum
