Bags made of woven mats from Samar province will soon be available in Europe after a tie-up with a local firm and their partner in Geneva, Switzerland.

Native bags from Samar were shipped on Monday for display in some branches of Viverra, a leading coffee shop based in Geneva, Switzerland, said Nen Ramos, project in-charge of Lara Samar.

“Lara”, the local term for weaving, is the brand of high-quality native bags made in Basey, Samar.

“Initially, we are shipping 32 bags and six wall decors. This is just the first order of bags and we hope to ship more bags to Switzerland,” Ramos told the Philippine News Agency.

The shipment came four months after Viverra’s initial talks with the Samar-based Basey Association for Native Industry Growth, the group producing bags for Lara.

“Meetings with both parties started as early as May and agreed for the arrangement of placing Lara bags in Geneva for European distribution. We are still waiting for the formal signing, but even without the signed agreement, orders and shipments will start already,” she added.

The shipment of native bags to Samar is a big help to mat weavers in the province as this will help sustain their livelihood through international exposure, according to Ramos.

During the health crisis, Ramos said the Lara brand continues to explore digital means to promote its products. Lara will be part of Artefino’s Reimagined and Manila Fame sites, which will be available for virtual selling very soon.

Lara is one of the products under the “Spark Samar” tourism program launched in 2015. The brand has been selected by Fashion Philippines for international trading events. (PNA)