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KRISTINA BOBS OF SVAJA IS AN INNOVATIVE GLASSWARE DESIGNER BREAKING INTO MIDDLE EAST MARKETS HTTP://BIT.LY/XG5AJE

K

ristina Bobs always imagined that one day her designs would be sold around the world. With the help of UK Trade & Investment, her dream became reality.

Lithuanian-born artist Bobs knew that her country’s

glassware was something special. In 1999, she set up Svaja in the UK, working closely with artists in the Baltic region. The company manufactures glassware in a variety of colours, sizes and textures, from bowls and vases to large wall panels and doors. In 2006, Svaja started exporting to Dubai with the help of

UK Trade & Investment and its Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS). Five years later, the company has established itself in some of the emirate’s largest department stores and recently completed designing accessories for Abu Dhabi’s Hyatt Capital Gate Hotel. A UK Trade & Investment trade mission in 2010 helped

Svaja to get a foothold in Saudi Arabia, and it is now working on several large projects in the region.

“UK Trade & Investment has introduced us to invaluable contacts abroad,” explains Bobs. “The market advice that I have received from our advisers has always been on target. UK Trade & Investment’s support is indispensable and I feel so grateful to them for so quickly and effectively opening up new markets to Svaja.” >> svaja.com

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