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| Sunday, 4 December 2005 |
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Lanka's handicraft exports top $40 m per annum by Elmo Leonard The potential for exports of handicrafts from Sri Lanka is very high. With this in mind, the National Chamber of Handicrafts Sri Lanka, Kandy, (NCHSL), comprising 150 members based in and the environs of Kandy, and formed in March 04 are already making strides in enhancing the trade of its membership.
Sri Lanka's exports of handicrafts exceed $40 million per annum, and it is not possible to give an accurate figure for such shipments, because these articles are exported under different categories, Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) deputy director, Shantha Fernando said. Handicrafts are also sold locally in outlets which cater to tourists. Few local handicraftsmen and women were aware of the trends, designs and colours in vogue in the international marketplace. These trends, like the fashions of clothing are changed from time to time by international designers, said Keith Andrew, a consultant and designer of handicrafts when he addressed 40 NCHSL manufacturers who brought their items for his perusal. Andrew is in Sri Lanka to assist large-scale manufacturers of handicrafts. In the past he had assisted handicraftsmen in the Philippines. The designs made by local handicraftsmen are traditional designs and has a very limited market, EDB deputy director U W Karunaratne said. Some of the NCHSL membership export their products through large exporters, and some are engaged in subcontracting. Andrew had advised manufacturers to use modern tools and equipment and follow the international colour trends. Also, to bring down the cost of production by using local raw materials. This chamber is supported by the government of Germany through a partnership project between Germany's Handwerkskammer Koblenz and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL). NCCSL currently provides its members, facilities such as local and international market access, financing and advice on designs and packaging. The chamber has identified the following items for new design and product development: brass and silverware, hemp, wood carvings, jewellery, batik, handloom and embroidery/textile bags, cushion covers and patchwork; natural paper based greeting cards. |
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