There has been a steady growth of 15–20 per cent year-on-year in handicrafts exports for several years now, thanks to support from the government.   

In the financial year 2017–18 (July–June), export earnings from handicrafts fetched USD 16.69 million, registering a growth of 15.26 per cent, from USD 14.48 million during the same period of the previous fiscal year (2016–17), according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

Bangladesh has been producing and exporting traditional handicraft products like ‘nakshi kantha’, pottery and terracotta, tant, muslin, jamdani, ‘shital pati’, bamboo craft and jute items to different countries around the world for decades.

SU Haider, the managing director of Island Trading Corporation, told The Independent that the low cost of production, accessibility to loans with single-digit interest rates, exploration of untapped markets, availability of raw materials, value-addition to the product and skilled labour are the reasons behind such rates of growth.       

Haider also said the SME Foundation, a government-owned organisation, is offering single-digit loans to new entrepreneurs to encourage the exports of handicrafts. New entrepreneurs are exploring new markets so as to export their innovative products, he added.

“Our wages are low compared to other countries that produce handicrafts. All types of raw materials are available in our country as well,” he explained.           

“Countries like China, Vietnam and Thailand, which are known for producing handicraft products, are shifting towards high-tech industries. This is an opportunity for us to capture the global market,” he added.

In reply to a question, he said Bangladesh mostly exports two types of handicrafts—baskets and home furnishing products. Various types and various forms of baskets made of bamboo, yarn, jute, cane and plastic are exported from Bangladesh.

Home furnishing items like pillow covers, jute bags, executive bags, laptop bags, shaving kit bags and ‘nakshi kantha’ are exported, he said.  

Describing some of the challenges, he said, “We don’t have enough research labs to produce unique and innovative designs. We don’t have any research institution to analyse the local and global markets and their needs and demands.”

At this moment, the size of the global handicrafts market is worth a billion dollars, he said.

“Artisans produce handicraft products in different parts of the country. We outsource and collect the products from them. After assembling the products, finishing and packaging works are being carried out here. Hence, we need a central point to assemble all types of handicraft products,” he said.

The size of the local market is also increasing by an approximate amount of Tk 10,000–12,000 crore, he disclosed.  

Bangladesh mostly exports handicrafts to North America, Europe and the Middle East, he said. "Cane is the most important raw material for handicrafts. We must preserve this component,” he added.

Investment in this sector is nearly zero because all the products are partially hand-made and locally produced, he said.

Ashrafur Rahman Faruque, president of the Bangladesh Handicrafts Manufacturers' and Exporters' Association, said this particular sector requires a very small quantum of investment. The handicrafts industry does not require big capital-intensive machinery or massive infusions of funds, he observed.

“Skilled human resources and some craft tools are the key components for this sector,” said Faruque, who is also the owner of Nipun Crafts Ltd.

When asked about the challenges confronting them, Faruque said: “We don’t have sufficient research labs for designing innovative products. Besides, there is no vocational centre to train people in this craft."

“All raw materials required for handicrafts are available inside the country. We don’t need to import a single component from abroad,” he added.

Around 50 lakh people are employed in the handicrafts industry across the country, he noted.

EA