Exports from the Valencian Community to Eastern European countries amounted to 700 million euros in the period January-October 2001, representing a growth of 17% compared to the same period of the previous year, according to the general director of the Valencian Institute of Export (IVEX), Carmen de Miguel.
"These figures confirm the upward trend experienced by our exports to this destination during the year 2000, which were already registering significant growth compared to 1999," highlighted the Director General of IVEX.
"And not only that," Carmen de Miguel stated, "the figures available for the entire year 2001 suggest that Valencian exports in this area will reach 875 million euros."
The Valencian Community ranks second among the autonomous communities in sales to these markets, accounting for more than 17% of total Spanish exports to Eastern European countries.
By sector, during October 2001, ceramics stood out with sales of 182 million euros; followed by citrus fruits with 93 million euros, automobiles with 89 million euros, and furniture with 47 million euros. "These four sectors represent 60% of the value of Valencian products destined for Eastern Europe," stated Carmen de Miguel.
Other sectors that stand out for their importance in these markets are footwear, mechanical machinery, pigments and enamels for the ceramic industry.
Eastern European Countries Plan
The main destinations for Valencian exports are Poland and Russia, countries that have IVEX offices and that account for 47% of the value of products from the Valencian Community demanded during the first 10 months of 2001.
"To take advantage of these business opportunities, the Eastern European Countries Plan will be launched this year, with the aim of consolidating the presence of Valencian companies in these emerging markets, where we have increased to 18 the activities planned for 2002, including actions for promotion, study and fostering business cooperation," confirmed Carmen de Miguel.
These promotional activities include trade missions such as the one for the agri-food sector to Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan; the one for hardware to Romania, Hungary, and the Czech Republic; as well as the joint participation of furniture companies at the Poznan trade fair in Poland and the participation of the agri-food sector at the Polagra trade fair, also in Poland. The home textiles sector will also be present at the planned trade mission to Hungary and the Czech Republic, while a study mission focused on children's clothing will be conducted in Poland.
The Director General of IVEX commented that "other destination countries for Valencian exports in the area are Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where we have strengthened our presence with support and information points."
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