China becoming major market for Luang Prabang handicrafts
China becoming major market for Luang Prabang handicrafts
Industrial and handicrafts products are now major income earners for Luang Prabang province after exports to the Chinese market have started to rise over the past six months of this year.
Provincial industry and commerce offi cials reported recently that the total value of exports to all markets in the first six months of this year had reached more than 288.3 billion kip.
This figure represented about 59 percent of the annual plan and a 95 percent increase if compared to the previous year, according to the report.
Meanwhile imported goods from foreign countries were difficul t to quantify. The department could confirm imports worth more than 35.42 billion for the first six months.
This figure came largely via the Lao-Vietnam border with Dien Bien Phu while import figures from China are less clear because they come via Luang Namtha and then on to Luang Prabang.
Combined, total trade values with foreign countries hit 323 billion kip. Of that figure, more than 128.9 billion kip came from the sale of industrial products. Included in this category are rubber and also handicrafts.
The Planning and Investment Department said that around 80 percent of products were exported to China; while Thailand was the second market with over 14 percent and Vietnam 5 percent.
Meanwhile it was estimated that imported goods from Thailand represented around 50 percent, China around 30 percent and Vietnam around 19 percent.
Industry and commerce officials reported that for the last six months of this year, the province expects to earn 190 billion kip from exports while the value of imports is expected to reach 196 billion kip.
Of this figure, industrial processed products and handicraft goods are set to earn almost 140 billion kip.
To achieve the goals, the province is also working with the relevant business sectors to boost exports by upgrading the strength of enterprises and the management of trade at the borders.
Furniture and other handicrafts are considered to be a future growth market for Luang Prabang, especially for export to China.
The number of Chinese tourists coming to Luang Prabang has grown rapidly over the past couple of years, and some of these visitors would like to purchase Lao handicrafts for retail sale back in China.
