A five-day Handicrafts Exhibition-2021 began in the city on Wednesday.
The Bangladesh Handicrafts Manufacturers and Exporters Association, or Banglacraft, organised the event marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Golam Ahsan, president of the association, formally inaugurated the exhibition at its office in the city.
In his speech, Mr Ahsan said the handicraft sector has been contributing to the country's economy in various ways for over 40 years.
The export earnings from this sector increased by 49 per cent during the Covid-19 pandemic period, compared to the same period in the previous year, which is a good news for the industry, he said.
However, he said, the handicrafts manufacturers are facing various obstacles to running their business amid the pandemic.
He also called for necessary steps, including ensuring supply of raw materials, training for artisans and research, to grab more share of the international market.
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