Lao handbag maker eyes market expansion
Lao handbag maker eyes market expansion
The rapid growth of the Lao economy and business operations in Laos now offer a positive inspiration for local young businesspeople to actively create their own inventions and put their products on display at local markets.
Naree, the f rst handbag brand in Laos, is now becoming a well-known brand for local buyers after the products were off cially made available on sale in Vientiane last October.
In 2012, Ms Manothip Siripaphanh was one of the young Lao women to attend the STEPS Young Entrepreneur Market Place Competition hosted by the World Bank in Laos.
Fortunately she won a cash prize and started to work on the Naree brand by training her designers and craftsmen with professional skills.
Speaking with Vientiane Times' reporters on Tuesday, the Founder of Naree handbag Ms Manothip, said her products have become more recognised by local buyers regarding the designs of the handbags.
“I actually appreciate the feedback from local buyers and it meets my intention to promote Lao products through my work apart from my business efforts,” she said.Ms Manothip went on to say that her production idea came from her inner inspiration after she looked for a handmade bag to go to a wedding party.
“That's the initial idea of producing my own brand of handbag,” she said, adding that she produced the handbags with simple processes based on her own ideas.
“As a Lao woman, I know what the Lao sinh is to Lao women and there was no doubt that I would use silk textiles to produce my handbags. And it is also a good way to promote Lao culture,” Ms Manothip said.
Currently more Lao youngsters are stepping up to the plate by producing attractive designs of shirts, bags and other clothing with a mixture of local and international styles.
“At the moment, our customers have ordered more and more products but we are unable to supply the demand of customers because some materials are unable to be purchased in local markets,” Ms Manothip said.
She noted that around 50 to 100 handbags were produced per bunch but this number is still unable to meet the demand of customers.
Naree products are made of two different materials, for example, leather and Lao silk are the main materials for production.
“In the middle of this year, my products will be on sale at any Vientiane branch and some major provinces,” Ms Manothip said.
“The Asean market is also listed in our plan but the lifestyle of buyers will be completely different from Lao people.
That will be diff cult to break into these markets.”The handbag showroom is on display in Nongbone village, Xaysettha district, Vientiane, where the customers can afford the prices from 139,000 kip to over 1 million kip.
“I strongly believe that my pieces of work will further encourage other young businesspeople to come out with creative ideas and to start their own businesses with their own inventions,” Ms Manothip added.
