Workshop highlights role of design in handicraft trade

How to enhance competitiveness, increase economic values and expand market for the handicraft sector were major subjects discussed at a workshop held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 18.

Making bamboo and rattan products in Phuc Xuyen district, Hanoi

The event aimed to promote links between designers and producers to reach the sector’s increasing growth target.

Addressing the event, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) Bui Thi Thanh An stressed the importance to raise the role played by the country’s design industry and change the public’s mind on designers’ position in production and business activities.

She said that there are numerous advantages and opportunities for Vietnam’s handicraft sector to boost export. However, the sector faces challenges in design so it is difficult in promoting products to international markets as well as drawing importers’ attention.

Professor Marcel Crul from TU Deft University of the Netherlands suggested that Vietnam should enhance designing, helping raise product value as well as making Vietnamese handicrafts access easily markets and customers.

Vietrade and the Vietnam Design Association (VDAS) will continue conducting other activities to promote designing work in other production sectors.