We meet the couple, during the tour the Nordic Trade in Albania organized this year to identify top Albanian companies enthusiastic to contribute towards building a sustainable textile system in Albania. Erinda & Artan are fully aware of the great impact fashion have on the environment and their ambition is to produce 100% biodegradable and as such making a difference in the industry.
“In 2014, just returned from Spain, after finishing my studies in “Fashion Design”, together with Artan – a banker at the time, we decided to jump in the textile industry and established “Eria Textiles” a garment supplier and exporter which now counts a network of clients in different countries such as United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Austria, Poland, Spain, Israel, etc. Sweden is missing in our portfolio and after more than 15 years of experience in the business, we are ready to embrace Sweden sustainable fashion business model”, says Erinda.
“Sustainable Fashion in Albania and Sweden – possibilities and opportunities” – is the new initiative supported by the Swedish Embassy in Tirana and implemented by the Nordic Trade in Albania, aiming to identify Albanian companies in the fashion industry, which are embracing the concept of sustainable and environmentally friendly design and production, and connect them with Swedish partners. This will also lead to increasing trade between Sweden and Albania, countries that celebrated 50-years of diplomatic relations and 20 years of reform cooperation in 2019.
Using hashtag #lookingforSwedishpartners, the Swedish Ambassador to Albania Elsa Håstad, is one of biggest promoters of this innovative initiative. “We have a lot of producers who are interested in sustainable production and we want to connect them with Swedish designers and brands. Albania is a country located in the heart of Europe with a lot of experience in textiles and this should be of great interest for Swedish brands which prefer to have production closer to Sweden. I am convinced that this is a win-win for the environment and the entrepreneurs”, explains the Ambassador.
“While “Made in Albania” is booming in both textile and shoe manufacturing, partnering and exporting for some of the biggest European and U.S. brands has brought into our attention the environmental and social cost of the fashion industry”- says Fatos Jaupi founder of AFA 3 Calzature in Berat, a city in the central part of the country.
With 175 employees, 90% women, Fatos is one of the pioneer entrepreneurs in the area who promotes women empowerment and provides decent employment for women in need and women from Roma and Egyptian communities in collaboration with the local employment office.
“Now is the momentum for more sustainable business models and practices, for more innovation in the industry and our consolidated 30-years old textile manufacturing is ready to follow Swedish leadership! – says Fatos.
Albania and the other five countries in the Western Balkans signed the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, and committed to work together towards the 2050 target of a carbon-neutral continent and implement actions in climate, energy, mobility, circular economy, depollution, sustainable agriculture and food production, and biodiversity.
Albania offers the possibility of a great revolution in the field of circular economy in the textiles sector.
The Nordic Trade in Albania invites and encourages all Swedish companies to follow Lindex example, and book the next virtual or in-person B2B meeting to explore Albania as a country of opportunities and meet Albanian textile companies!
A qualified workforce, cheap labor compared to EU countries, and export facilities through its major ports of Durres, Vlore, Saranda and Shengjin are waiting for Swedish partners!
Contact Nordic Trade in Albania and they will assist you with information on potential sector, data and statistics for each sector of your interest, as well as with organizing B2B meetings with Albanian companies.
Contact information
To contact Nordic Trade in Albania, please send an email to anjeza.alia@nordassociation.al
To visit Nordic Trade in Albania’s webstite, click here.
This article is an ad for “Made in Albania” and is written by the freelance reporter Matilda Duri.