A TEXTILES company looks set to clinch overseas orders which says may lead to new jobs for people in Hyndburn.

Hilden Manufacturing Ltd, which makes linen and cloth for hotels and restaurants, hopes to land lucrative contracts in Cuba after receiving an unofficial thumbs-up from a Government minister.

Cuba's minister of external European trade, Loida Rivera Fabre, made a two-hour visit the firm's plant at Pickup Street, Oswaldtwistle, on Tuesday.

The visit comes after the firm's export manager John McCaughran visited Cuba as part of a six-week tour also taking in Brazil and Argentina.

Around 30 international firms met Cuban officials to seek Government recommendation which is the key to successful trade with the former Communist country, whose tourist industry looks set to take off.

But Mr McCaughran said Hilden was the only firm to receive a visit from the Cuban government, and added that the minister had gone away pledging to support the company in their future trade with Cuba.

Mr McCaughran said tourism was the biggest hope for Cuba's trade after the collapse of the sugar industry. The need for Western-quality hospitality would provide opportunities for companies like Hilden to sell into Cuba.

He said: "We were the only one out of 30 companies to be personally visited by the minister.

"We have three or four potential buyers in Cuba who were waiting for Government approval before placing orders. We expect to receive orders soon and this could lead to job creation."

The company currently employs 500 people in East Lancashire.

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