Handicraft sector fades on govt apathy
Arafat Ara | Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Arafat Ara
Export earning from the handicraft sector may increase ten times by next five years with necessary policy support and patronisation from the government, a top industry leader said. Golam Ahsan, president of Bangladesh Handicrafts Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said handicraft products have huge demand in foreign markets but the country is yet to exploit its potential, with exports hovering at a paltry US$7.8 million a year. "Top exporting nations such as India, China, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam see this sector as an economic booster and national pride. But we're neglecting this sector," said Mr. Ahsan. He said Vietnam earns US$ 900 million a year by shipping handicrafts while Bangladesh's annual exports are a minuscule US$ 7.0-8.0 million. Data available with the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) showed that Bangladesh exported handicrafts worth US$ 3.79 million in the fiscal 2009-10, down from $ 6.44 million a year ago. Exports also moved down to $ 5.49 million in 2007-08, from $ 8.16 million in 2006-07, according to the EPB. "We're unable to tap the market because we fail to catch up with the fast-changing global fashion industry and can't meet even buyers' demand," he said. EPB officials said this year, exports could go down further as handicrafts worth $ 2.81 million were exported in the first eight months of the current fiscal. The association chief said the absence of modern technology in the sector also stands in the way of boosting productivity, he added. Mr Ahsan said although the government allotted seven katha land at Eskaton road in the city for handicraft design and training centre more than a decade ago, no successive governments handed it over to the association. "Every government gave us the assurance. But none handed the land over to us," he said in a downbeat note. He said in the pre-budget discussion, the association also proposed the government to allot the land to the association so that it can set up a design centre and a permanent showroom for handicraft products. "We have also proposed the government to continue cash incentive. Our appeal is to offer such financial lifeline at least for the next five years," Mr Ahsan said. "If the government provides cash incentive, it will help the sector flourish," he added.
Export earning from the handicraft sector may increase ten times by next five years with necessary policy support and patronisation from the government, a top industry leader said. Golam Ahsan, president of Bangladesh Handicrafts Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said handicraft products have huge demand in foreign markets but the country is yet to exploit its potential, with exports hovering at a paltry US$7.8 million a year. "Top exporting nations such as India, China, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam see this sector as an economic booster and national pride. But we're neglecting this sector," said Mr. Ahsan. He said Vietnam earns US$ 900 million a year by shipping handicrafts while Bangladesh's annual exports are a minuscule US$ 7.0-8.0 million. Data available with the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) showed that Bangladesh exported handicrafts worth US$ 3.79 million in the fiscal 2009-10, down from $ 6.44 million a year ago. Exports also moved down to $ 5.49 million in 2007-08, from $ 8.16 million in 2006-07, according to the EPB. "We're unable to tap the market because we fail to catch up with the fast-changing global fashion industry and can't meet even buyers' demand," he said. EPB officials said this year, exports could go down further as handicrafts worth $ 2.81 million were exported in the first eight months of the current fiscal. The association chief said the absence of modern technology in the sector also stands in the way of boosting productivity, he added. Mr Ahsan said although the government allotted seven katha land at Eskaton road in the city for handicraft design and training centre more than a decade ago, no successive governments handed it over to the association. "Every government gave us the assurance. But none handed the land over to us," he said in a downbeat note. He said in the pre-budget discussion, the association also proposed the government to allot the land to the association so that it can set up a design centre and a permanent showroom for handicraft products. "We have also proposed the government to continue cash incentive. Our appeal is to offer such financial lifeline at least for the next five years," Mr Ahsan said. "If the government provides cash incentive, it will help the sector flourish," he added.