The Trade Ministry on May 10 opened a seminar seeking ways to develop handicraft exports from now to 2010.
The seminar, entitled “Developing the Export of Vietnam Fine Arts and Handicraft Products in 2007-10”, aims to increase the country’s total handicraft export revenue to US$820 million in 2007, and US$1.5 billion in 2010.
Of the sum, 44 per cent is expected to come from china products, 30 per cent from bamboo and sedge made products and 26 per cent from precious stones.
Last year, handicraft exports brought in US$680 million revenue, accounting for only 1.57 per cent of the country’s total export revenue.
Do Nhu Dinh, Deputy Minister of Trade stressed that, although fine arts and handicrafts accounted for only a modest proportion of the nation’s exports, with the proper strategy it had the potential to become a key sector in the coming time.
Dinh said the industry’s advantages include relatively low capital requirements and high added value product, making the sector highly efficient and a strong foreign currency earner.
The industry also enjoys abundant raw material sources, a skilled labor force and high domestic and international demand, Dinh added.
However, the industry has experienced high transportation cost, poor design, enterprises are scattered and uncoordinated, and trade promotion is ineffective.
The seminar put forward seven measures to develop fine art and handicraft exports, including sustainable development of raw materials sources, establishing a design centre, boosting training for workers, granting incentives and loans for exporting enterprises, and organizing an international fine art and handicraft commercial exposition in Vietnam.
Bui Xuan Hai from Haidoco Co. Ltd proposed a high technology, quality over quantity strategy under which producers concentrate on producing sophisticated and high value products.
A Ministry of Industry official noted the issue of intellectual property rights in fine arts and handicraft products, emphasizing that, without appropriate regulations, artisans may face charges of violating the rights of others, as well as the loss of rights to their own original designs.
Fine arts and handicrafts are listed as a spearhead industry for Vietnam’s export development program for 2006-2010. (Vietnam & World Economy)
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