Lao silk traders target domestic market
Lao silk traders target domestic market
Lao silk traders are now refocusing on the domestic market after a recent fall in export sales.
Director of Ammalinh Lao Silk, Ms Viengsouthoula Phetsanghane, told Vientiane Times that while the cost of weaving silk is increasing, overseas markets were still seeking good quality textiles but at lower prices.
For example, she said her products were previously exported to Japan, France and Australia, but prices in these markets had recently gone down while her labour costs and raw materials had increased.
Ms Viengsouthoula explained that many Lao silk traders faced the same situation and had stopped exporting, instead selling their products on the domestic market as local people still like to wear silk clothing.
Silk traders have cited increased competition for domestic weavers as the cause of their inflated costs while being squeezed on price in export markets.
However, Ms Viengsouthoula said she was hopeful that Lao silk exports would bounce back in cooperation with other Asean countries under a single brand called “Great Women”.
The brand aims to encourage rural women weavers in Asean countries by giving them the chance to export to the US and European markets.
She believed this would drive export opportunities while reducing oversupply on the domestic market where many shops had been putting on sales.
Owner of the Lao Silk Textile Shop, Ms Nok, also pointed to a dip in domestic sales, but said there might be some potential for growth if economic conditions improved this year.
After the Asean Economic Community came into effect at the end of last year it was hoped that Lao silk pro ducts would be able to penetrate regional markets, with the Lao Handicraft Association eager to help weavers look for new opportunities.
