Lao businesses need favourable treatment at festivals
Lao businesses need favourable treatment at festivals
Important annual festivals are becoming more of a profitable function for imported goods as most of the products on display during the annual Vientiane Boat Racing Festival this year were made in other countries.
The week-long fair marking the end of Buddhist Lent, which ends with the boat races on October 28, involves the construction of several hundred stalls paid for by locals and people from neighbouring countries for the sale of their products.
This situation makes many local festival goers worry about a possible reduction in the promotion of local goods, overshadowed by the number of foreign vendors who obviously enjoy good sales.
Lao products come mainly from the One District, One Product (ODOP) scheme, consisting of handbags, t-shirts and handicrafts. They are locally recognised but their makers lack the ability to rent the better sites for their stalls.
One local vendor, who asked not be named, said the stall rental price was expensive and it was not easy to get a good place because most of the good spots are booked by foreign vendors.
“I think the sector in charge should think of the best locations where local products can be on display and customers can easily find them,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of other local vendors, he said Lao stallholders should be given priority in choosing the location of their stalls under a promotion scheme to encourage local participation in producing more domestic goods.
Laos is known as a country that relies on heavily on imported goods, especially electronic and mechanical items and general consumer goods. However, local production of goods is on the rise.
More advertising and promotion will be key factors in publicising locally-made goods which should help to stem the inflow of unnecessary foreign goods. A resident of Sisattanak district, Mr Bounnam, said that over 10 years ago the Vientiane Boat Racing Festival was more interesting because people could find local food to eat much more easily.
“In the past, we could find local dishes such as khao laam ping kai – sticky rice in bamboo tubes and grilled chicken – outside the Lane Xang hotel but nowadays we have to spend ages looking for it,” he said.
He added that the city authorities should also discuss with the concessionaire to arrange for a special area for local goods, food and drinks in a bid to promote the benefits of local products as a priority for future important events.
Many members of the public also worry about the quality of the imported products on sale at the fair because even though the prices are affordable the lifespan of many of the items is questionable, especially clothing.
