Myanmar’s difficulties in shortage of raw materials and craftsmen although demands from US, Dubai increase
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Khit/ Saw (NP News) - Dec 10
Ma Nyo Ni Tun, a businesswoman who sells Burmese handicrafts, told The NP News that despite the demands of Burmese handicrafts from the United States and Dubai has been increasing, there are difficulties due to a shortage of raw materials and craftsmen.
It is reported that foreign countries are interested in purchasing Myanmar handicrafts.
“Demands are increased by US and distributors from Dubai. The process is underway,” Ma Nyo Ni Tun said.
Among the Myanmar handicrafts, items made from bamboo, coconut shell, reed, wheat straw, and rattan are popular, and jute and reed handicrafts are showing increasing interest.
“I am also working on my own production with coconut shells and bamboo. However, as some experts receive orders from customers, they are unable to produce as many products as they would like. When they are unable to produce, it is very difficult for me to find such experts,” she continued.
In addition, due to the imbalance between the number of handicrafts purchased and the number of artisans, it is planned to provide training to promote the increasing of artisans.
“I am currently talking to a bamboo craftsman to do it. As I said, this will be in the next few months. I can’t say exactly. The main thing is that if we start working, we are considering training with bamboo,” she said.
She also mentioned that currently, the company is facing difficulties due to rising raw material prices, shipping costs, and employee costs, and to cope with these difficulties, it is producing the largest possible quantity of purchased raw materials.
“There are difficulties when raw materials are collected according to the weather, and due to frequent rain, there are also difficulties when there are processes that have to be done. Some of them have to be purchased from outsider market, and there are difficulties when raw materials are not available,” Ma Nyo Ni Tun continued.