‘GREAT Women' helping Lao silk exports
‘GREAT Women' helping Lao silk exports
Lao silk will have more opportunities to export under the Asean brand “GREAT Women”, according to a leading trader in the sector.
Director of Ammalinh Lao Silk, Ms Viengsouthoula Phetsanghane said The Gender Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women (GREAT Women) development model started in the Philippines in 2011.
It was launched last year at the Asean SME Showcase and Conference in Malaysia, promoting Asean women enterprises to join together under a single brand.
The brand aims to promote the sale of Asean women enterprises' products to stimulate business growth thereby employing more workers and improving livelihoods, especially in rural areas.
GREAT Women is also an Asean initiative that allows the regional integrated supply chain for women enterprises' products to reach the global market.
“This sho uld encourage rural silk weavers across Laos to apply to become GREAT Women members to expand their markets,” Ms Viengsouthoula explained.
At present, some Lao enterprises and weavers have become members, which permitte d them to distribute their products via GREAT Women's Head office in Philippines.
For example, Lao silk is ordered in each month in combination with materials from other Asean members, then packed in the Philippines under the GREAT Women brand for export to US and European markets.
Ms Viengsouthoula explained as GREAT Women required high quality products, Lao enterprises and silk weavers in rural areas would have more chances to increase their exports.
Natural and handmade Lao products such as silk textiles have potential to expand their production under the GREAT Women brand while the switch away from the highly competitive domestic market will benefit local traders.
