Profile

Lithuanian Apparel and Textile Industry Association LATIA is a private business association representing interests of Lithuanian apparel, textile and leather products manufacturers, traders, and service companies. It was established in 1991. LATIA activities are regulated by the associations’ law of the Rep. of Lithuania. LATIA is registered under national law. LATIA association unites around 100 member companies. LATIA is actively involved in the following activities: – Export promotion activities for its member companies: search for potential business partners, organizing trade missions, participation in trade fairs abroad, etc. – Consulting of foreign companies interested to find potential cooperation partners in Lithuanian Textile and Apparel Sector; – Developing international relations with foreign organizations, institutions, authorities. – Lobbying Activities: representing interests of the sector at nation, EU and international levels. – Training and consulting of membership: organizing seminars, conferences, preparation of market information; members’ capacity building projects; – Implementing of local and international projects oriented to sustainable transformation of textile and apparel sector, building the knowledge and awareness of the companies on the matter. Latia is an active member of the European Apparel and Textile Organization EURATEX, International Apparel Federation IAF, Lithuanian Industrialists Confederation LPK. Lithuanian apparel and sextile sector plays an important role in Lithuanian economy, employing over 22 thousand people in Lithuania today. LATIA has a lot of experience and expertise in the fields related with education, training, sustainability, entrepreneurship, mentoring entrepreneurs. LATIA participates in sustainable development and considers environmental concerns, as well as sustainable growth and local development as a key element of its missions, promoting behavioral changes among society to adapt to current needs (sustainable consumption, optimization of waste, etc). LATIA as a member of EURATEX actively participate in the sustainability dossier activities (“ReHubs” project, with initiative to create an integrated network of textile recycling hubs across Europe; ESPR regulation lobbying group, sustainable business committee, etc). LATIA has years of experience in international and national project handling as well as supporting and helping members to adapt to the changing market conditions and requirements by organizing training, informational campaigns, etc. with a focus on training, information dissemination, coordination between textile and clothing companies in the following fields: 1) production in small volumes and just in time as well as credibility; 2) creation of strong technological know-how and high work culture of the employees of apparel and textile companies; 3) handling operations in high product segment niche; 4) cooperation in international markets. During the years LATIA has gathered experience in participating and managing variety of EU funded projects in national and international programs. Organization is currently actively involved in 3 Erasmus+ projects: Helping the textile industry reduce its water footprint (REWAFT; 2022-1-LT01-KA220-HED-000086367), Strategic Partnership Promoting Education for the Transition of the Fashion Sector Towards Digital and Sustainable Business Models (TECOFASH; 2021-1-PL01-KA220-VET-000034636), Upskilling clothing and textile SMEs for sustainable and ethical growth (ECOMODA; 2021-2-PL01-KA220-VET-000048919).