EDB develops core group of giftware manufacturers

By Surekha Galagoda

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The Export Development Board (EDB) developed a core group of giftware manufacturers in the provinces within a span of two years.

The program was initiated in early 2006 under the Mahinda Chinthana development program with the objective of developing Small and Medium entrepreneurs engaged in the giftware market in the provinces to cater to the export market.

Deputy Director, Product Management Division EDB Shantha Fernando said that the project was implemented with a budget of Rs 5.75mln and consisted of three phases including the identifying of suitable and correct SMEs, product and design development as well as marketing.

He said that they selected 5-7 items where there was a good raw material base including gift items which are based on wood, rush and reed, home textiles, recycled paper and clay.

We called for applications and received 80 applications and we visited each and every workshop before they were called for interviews. Once the 30 applicants were shortlisted the consultant visited them. The first phase of the project was started in November 2006.

The consultant, Keith Andrew said that they assessed the availability of raw materials and what techniques they used. We didn't change the techniques and instead updated them. We not only had to educate them on design and development but also had to widen their vision to open new horizons which were earlier not open to them.

He said, "We tried not to impose new techniques and the main barrier to discussion was their nervousness thinking that the other person will copy the idea".

Once they became confident of their own crafts, they were open to discussion and were willing to share their ideas.

Andrew said that everybody can't be exporters but at least they can be suppliers to exporters.

The final program was held in Manila, Philippines where they were taken for the Exhibition Fame International. We took people who didn't even have passports. He said that they not only exposed the products they manufactured but also exposed them to a different culture.

Andrew said that they got an understanding about quality as well as quality control and pricing. Once they came back we educated them on aspects in banking as well as packaging.

Since they were not yet ready for export, we at the EDB called upon Aitken Spence to help in marketing these gift items. Now, they sell the products at the six resorts owned by them in the Maldives as well.

Andrew said that earlier they sourced products from Sri Lanka but later gave up due to problems in quality and timely delivery but these people keep their promises and everything is going smooth.

He said that according to their observations 8-10 persons are doing very well. Communication is a very big issue when residing in the provinces but age and sex are not barriers.

Though they were in the core group it was never a barrier to earn their living, doing their normal work, whatever the craft they were engaged in.

Andrew said that they always tried to mix two mediums and also all items were handcrafted to ensure that China could not produce it on a mass scale.

Already we have advertised to recruit the second batch while we are planning to do a technology transfer program for the first batch of persons.