Gloom looms over handicraft industry
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
Monira Munni
Local handicraft manufacturers are facing a bleak future, as export earnings have dwindled in the absence of modern technologies and government support to the industry.
They claimed that lack of awareness of the changing trend in consumers' tastes, designs and fashion coupled with lack of training facilities for upgrading products by using modern technologies have stunted the growth of the sector.
"Now is the time of change," Golam Ahsan, president of Bangladesh Handicraft Manufacturers and Exporters Association, popularly known as Banglacraft, told the FE Saturday.
'No doubt' to sustain and increase the market share, entrepreneurs must update themselves with the global trends and reflect those in their products, he added.
"But in this race we are falling back from our competitors," Mr Ahsan said.
Handicraft shipment recorded 21 per cent fall in the first nine months of the current fiscal year from the same period last fiscal.
During July-March period of FY 2009-10, the earning from the sector was $4.01 million, which was $1.0 million lower than the corresponding period in FY 2008-09.
The global recession was also responsible for poor export earnings, as it had affected many importing countries, he added.
"Initially, exports fell in countries hit hard by the recession," Rashedul Karim, managing director of Creation Private Ltd, said.
The international buyers are still reluctant to take risks and have put themselves in a 'wait and watch mode,' he added.
"However, we are seeing many buyers placing bigger orders these days," he confirmed.
But local entrepreneurs could not take these orders, as they fail to compete with India, China, Japan, Vietnam and Combodia on price competitiveness, Mr Karim, who mainly ships jute-made handicrafts, said.
The price of different raw materials increased by 20 to 50 per cent during the last four months, he explained saying "The competitors are funded by their governments, but we are yet to receive such assistance."
The handicraft goods include, items made from thick cloth, leather, paper, plastic and jute. These specialised products have already earned worldwide recognition, industry people said.
The government should consider the industry as a vital sector, as handicrafts are considered non-traditional items with the potentials for expansion, they added.
"Our handicraftsmen have amalgamated craftsmanship with tradition, thought, skills and local culture. This has made our products special and attractive to the international buyers," Banglacraft secretary Shah Jalal said.
Local handicraft manufacturers are facing a bleak future, as export earnings have dwindled in the absence of modern technologies and government support to the industry.
They claimed that lack of awareness of the changing trend in consumers' tastes, designs and fashion coupled with lack of training facilities for upgrading products by using modern technologies have stunted the growth of the sector.
"Now is the time of change," Golam Ahsan, president of Bangladesh Handicraft Manufacturers and Exporters Association, popularly known as Banglacraft, told the FE Saturday.
'No doubt' to sustain and increase the market share, entrepreneurs must update themselves with the global trends and reflect those in their products, he added.
"But in this race we are falling back from our competitors," Mr Ahsan said.
Handicraft shipment recorded 21 per cent fall in the first nine months of the current fiscal year from the same period last fiscal.
During July-March period of FY 2009-10, the earning from the sector was $4.01 million, which was $1.0 million lower than the corresponding period in FY 2008-09.
The global recession was also responsible for poor export earnings, as it had affected many importing countries, he added.
"Initially, exports fell in countries hit hard by the recession," Rashedul Karim, managing director of Creation Private Ltd, said.
The international buyers are still reluctant to take risks and have put themselves in a 'wait and watch mode,' he added.
"However, we are seeing many buyers placing bigger orders these days," he confirmed.
But local entrepreneurs could not take these orders, as they fail to compete with India, China, Japan, Vietnam and Combodia on price competitiveness, Mr Karim, who mainly ships jute-made handicrafts, said.
The price of different raw materials increased by 20 to 50 per cent during the last four months, he explained saying "The competitors are funded by their governments, but we are yet to receive such assistance."
The handicraft goods include, items made from thick cloth, leather, paper, plastic and jute. These specialised products have already earned worldwide recognition, industry people said.
The government should consider the industry as a vital sector, as handicrafts are considered non-traditional items with the potentials for expansion, they added.
"Our handicraftsmen have amalgamated craftsmanship with tradition, thought, skills and local culture. This has made our products special and attractive to the international buyers," Banglacraft secretary Shah Jalal said.