To boost their export volume, Myanmar’s handicraftmen look for overseas markets

Handicraftsmen in Myanmar are looking for over­seas markets to sell their wares to, especially in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, according to Trade Promotion Depart­ment of Ministry of Com­merce.

Myanmar has a long tradition of producing handicrafts. Myanmar’s handicraft market for both local and foreign buyers has grown in the last couple of years, as venues to buy items have expanded from historical pagodas, and local mar­kets — like the Bogyoke Aung San Market — to art galleries and shopping malls. In spite of this, the handicraft market has been slow to turn into an organized industry even as the market has risen.

The Myanmar Handi­craft Art Association and Ministry of Commerce are making efforts to boost the export volume of My­anmar’s handicrafts to foreign countries. This includes offering courses on marketing, holding workshops, job fairs, and linking local businessmen with the foreign buyers.

The ministry has been enhancing the traditional handicraft business on a manageable scale. Con­certed efforts will be expended to improve Myanmar’s traditional handicraft sector.

Traditional arts of My­anmar, which is known as “ten arts” (Pan-se-myo), are preserved as the tech­niques are passed down from generation to gen­eration.

“The three countries have potential, but we need to boost export by drafting new policy,” U Aung Soe, Director Gen­eral of Trade Promotion Department under Minis­try of Commerce, said.

Handicraft business owners are currently holding meetings with of­ficials to discuss how to boost export, but at the same time, minimizing any negative environmen­tal impact this might have on countries importing the wares.

Last year, Myanmar exported traditional handicrafts worth about $12 million to Europe, whereas, Cambodia ex­ported handicrafts worth $45 million, and Vietnam was able to export handi­crafts worth an astound­ing $442 million.

Myanmar’s worldwide handicraft export is ap­proximately $1.9 billion annually.

(Myanmar Business Today: https://www.mmbiztoday.com/articles/handicraftsman-get-boost )

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