The Myanmar Rattan and Bamboo Entrepreneurs Association (MRBEA) is engaged in talks with a delegation from the Netherlands in a bid to help Myanmar handicrafts compete more effectively in overseas markets.
The delegation is studying the industry to assist the MRBEA in promoting Myanmar products overseas.
”We are planning to revitalize the industry by penetrating foreign markets again,” said U Kyaw Thu, chairman of the MRBEA.
“We’ve had a very hard time in foreign markets for years, we are losing out on foreign buyers,” he added.
Myanmar’s handicraft industry, once renowned for the quality of its products made from bamboo, rattan and water hyacinths, has been in a state of decline in the past 10 years and has lost out to competition from regional competitors like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand, said U Kyaw Thu.
The Myanmar Forest Product Merchant Association is also providing capacity building for handicraft workers to improve the quality of finished products so they can compete in foreign markets.
“We are in the process of calling on handicraft experts in Thailand who can provide us with capacity building,” said U Kyaw Thu.
According to the MRBEA, Myanmar’s most popular handicrafts are products like wallets, baskets, light shades and furniture with hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops being the largest local buyers.
Source: Myanmar Business Today
