The Associação Têxtil e Vestuário de Portugal (ATP) industry group says the value of Portuguese exports to China of textiles and clothing grew to €29 million (US$33.4 million) in the first half of this year, 62 percent more than in the corresponding period last year, Lusa reports.

The Portuguese news agency says growth in first-half sales abroad of Portuguese textiles and clothing was faster only in Italy and the Netherlands.

The report says the value of all Portuguese textiles and clothing exports in the first half was €2.7 billion, 2 percent more than a year earlier.

The Portuguese surplus in international trade in textiles and clothing was €623 million in the first half, Lusa says.