The government would finalise the national handicraft policy by next month with an objective to make the sector economically viable and get a larger share in the national and international markets.
The proposed policy aimed to provide financial support, increase production, upgrade market strategy, reorient human resources development strategy and engage more rural women.
“The national handicraft policy will take final shape in October,” said Industries Minister Dilip Barua at a meeting at his office in Dhaka Sunday.
The main goal to formulate this policy is to increase capability of import-substitute products like handicrafts using the creativity of rural women, he said.
To faster implementation of the draft national policy, a committee, led by additional secretary of industries ministry GM Zainul Abedin was formed and asked to submit final national handicraft policy taking opinions from the stakeholders.
Earlier, a five-member committee headed by deputy general manager of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) Shamsul Hoque had prepared the draft policy and submitted to the industries ministry recently.
The committee has identified definition as the handicrafts products which are artisanal but chiefly produced by artisans, either completely by hand with the help of hand tools or mechanical means.
Direct manual contribution of the artisan remains the substantial component of the finished products manifesting the country’s great history of tradition and heritage, according to the draft policy.
The draft policy includes the strategies for the development of the sector and export of handicrafts. The committee has proposed cash incentives for export and engagement of more women in the industry.
A National Emporium in the draft policy, where all the handicraft products of the country will be showcased round the year for the prospective buyers, the draft policy noted.
It also recommended developing present National Design Centre which has been disseminating the services to the general people, unemployed artisans, craftsmen, entrepreneurs, particularly to women and clusters of cottage level people working by heredity since 1960.
The draft policy suggests strengthening Bangladesh Handicrafts Manufacturers & Exporters Association which is popularly known as Banglacraft with all the resources including library, information center and training.
Bangladesh exports handicraft products worth $1bn annually, which is not a big chunk in comparison with its international market.
European countries including Germany, Italy, Spain, England, USA, Japan and Australia are main importers of Bangladesh’s handicraft products.
Saarc handicrafts fair begins
Meanwhile, a Saarc handicraft exhibition is being held in Dhaka starting Sunday to bolster mutual harmony in the region through promoting traditional products and developing cultural institutions.
India, Pakistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka are taking part at the fair apart from host Bangladesh.
The Sri Lanka-based Saarc Cultural Centre in collaboration with Bangladesh culture affairs ministry organised the six-day show at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy premises.
Around 18 craftsmen from Bangladesh, eight from India, 10 from Pakistan, six from Sri Lanka and four from Bhutan are taking part.
This year’s exhibition is being held under four sections Saarc exhibition on handicrafts, design workshop, buyer-seller meet on the fifth day and review meeting on Saarc map of cultural industries.
Craftsmen from all the Saarc member countries displayed their best products while a special design workshop is scheduled to be conducted by trained professionals, who would focus on increasing the marketability of products within and outside the region.
