Monira Munni

The country's handicrafts industry recorded 35 per cent negative growth in the first two months of the current fiscal year against the strategic export target of $1.27 million for July-August.

During the July-August period of FY 2009-10, the earning from the sector was below $1.0 million, which was 6.74 per cent lower than the corresponding period in FY 2008-09.

"Our handicrafts export fell in July- August as this is our off season," Bangladesh Handicrafts Manufacturers and Exporters Association popularly known as Banglacraft secretary Md Shah Jalal told the FE.

The global recession was also responsible for poor export earning as it had affected many importing countries, he said.

Moreover the recent participation in the fair held in the United States failed to meet our target; he explained hoping that the volume would increase in January as the exporters are gradually getting orders from overseas.

"We need government's help for organising training on design, fashion and technology", they said.

Handicrafts are considered as non-traditional items with a potentials for expansion.

Being a developing country, Bangladesh faces tough competition in export of finished goods in the manufacturing sector but many developed countries get preferential treatment on imports of handicraft from our country, they added.

Training institutes needs to be set up to improve handicrafts research and design, Mr Shah Jalal said.