InfoQuest, (June 19, 2019) -- Mr. Adul Chotinisakon, director general of the Department of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Commerce, revealed that the aid program aiming at manufacturing and service industries affected by the liberalization of free trade (FTA fund of the Ministry of Commerce) had succeeded in helping three textile associations boost competitiveness of their producers and operators. The three associations are Northeastern Handicraft Industrial Cluster Cooperative in Sakon Nakhon, Lanna Culture & Crafts Association in Chiang Mai and Ban Hua Mueang Women's Textile Organization in Yasothon. By promoting technological development and innovation, the FTA Fund has helped these three organizations generate products that are in line with market needs and retain local characteristics at the same time.
The aid aiming at Northeastern Handicraft Industrial Cluster Cooperative focuses on exploring and applying technology of making use of local natural materials for dying, so as to enhance the competitiveness of crafts textile estates in the 13 provinces in the Northeast of Thailand. Such technology, both consumer-friendly and environment-friendly, is capable of promoting the artistic beauty of the textile designs and prevent them from fading easily, thus highlighting the uniqueness of the weaving products from this cooperative and also creating values.
The Lanna Culture & Crafts Association covers textile craft operators in Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Phayao, Lampang, Chiang Rai, Phrae and Phayao. The FTA Fund has pushed for the research of natural hues matching the characteristics of Lanna culture and have successfully developed a formula to realize color mixing through extracts from semi-finished natural pigments. In addition, these research achievements have been applied to cultivate and develop the craft and design skills of the operators in the targeted areas.
The aid provided by the FTA Fund for Ban Hua Mueang Women's Textile Organization is under way. The FTA Fund has attached importance to the development of natural dyeing technology and pattern design of Mudmee silks, a unique style of products made by the organization. By analyzing the market trend of textile colors or hues, the local plants used as raw materials for dyes are selected according to the market demand.
"Since the project was launched, the Ban Hua Mueang Women's Textile Organization has created a variety of distinctive textiles with modern design patterns, which has increased the income of the organization by about 30 percent and received orders from the U.S. and Canada. Meanwhile, designer teams from Sweden has shown interests in its manufacturing techniques and intended to incorporate articles produced by the organization in their own designs for fashion shows. This marks an important starting point for the local products to go global," said Mr. Adul.
Ms. Lamai Phopasit, who is in charge of the organization, added that the project to develop skills provided by the FTA Fund has helped the common silks and Mudmee silks made by the organization realize dying in a natural manner and improved techniques to make their color more aesthetically appealing and more lasting. The organization has developed various products adopting the technology available to ensure that the quantity and quality of the products meet the market demand.
The Ban Hua Mueang Women's Textile Organization also hopes to upgrade and develop skills in making ready-to-wear clothes to increase the value of products and personal income. It is now working to expand product distribution channels and attract consumers through multiple sales channels, including opening stores in Yasothon, participating in trade fairs, and selling products online through social media platforms such as Facebook and LINE.
Source: InfoQuest, by Phana/ Nisarat / Rachada, translated by Xinhua Silk Road
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