Laos identifies handicrafts as a potential export sector
Laos identifies handicrafts as a potential export sector
Hand made products are one of the goods which Laos can sell in the Asean market after the establishment of the regional economic community, according to Lao export strategy makers.
Laos will join hands with Asean member countries to establish the regional economic community in 2015, making Asean a single market and production base.
This will pose challenges for policy makers as to what goods Laos should produce to sell in the common market of 600 million consumers.
To address the challenges, the Lao government has developed the National Export Strategy for 2011 to 2015, aiming to identify potential sectors which Laos can promote as foreign exchange earners after the establishment of the regional economic community.
According to the strategy, one of the potential export sectors which Laos has advantages in is the production of handicrafts, thanks to the preservation of local knowledge and wisdom which Lao people inherited from past generations.
Despite the influence of modern technologies and lifestyles, large numbers of Lao families, particularly those living in remote parts of the country still raise silk worms and grow cotton to use as raw materials to weave textiles for their own consumption and sale.
Many houses throughout the country still have traditional textile weaving equipment, creating possibilities for the country to promote export oriented handicraft production as people in developed countries seek out more handmade items in an effort to prevent climate change.
People in developed countries such as Europe, Australia and Japan find using handmade goods preferable as they use no electric power. These people also consider handicrafts as special gifts suitabl e for their friends and families.
The strategy makers also said that exporting various handmade items is more convenient than exporting other industrial goods, which require modern logistics systems. Unlike industrial products, exports of the handicraft items can be done through the tourists who visit the country themselves.
In Luang Prabang, hundreds of thousands of foreign tourists purchase handmade items from Laos, generating large amounts of revenue for the local community and the country as a whole.
To strengthen the production of handicrafts, the strategy makers urged the government to secure the supply of raw materials, establish handicraft production groups and provide them with access to finance, as well as facilitating sales on local and foreign markets.
The establishment of the handicraft development fund is also advised as the fund will create opportunities for handicraft makers to access finance and training opportunities so as they can improve their prod uction and marketing.
vientiane times
