Handicraft villages generate jobs for 11 million labourers
Vietnam Economic Times, Vietnam
VNECONOMY updated: 14/11/2006
Viet Nam currently has 2,017 traditional handicraft villages which employ around 11 million rural labourers, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.Viet Nam’s handicraft products have been exported to over 100 countries and territories worldwide, earning a total of 600 million USD each year.
The Industry Ministry plans to pour 92.4 billion VND into the handicraft and small industry sector to promote their development in the 2006-15 period.
Under this plan, the Red River Delta, home to the largest number of handicraft villages in the north, will be encouraged to incorporate these villages to boost the growth of labour-intensive occupations as well as the creation of new handicraft products utilising local materials.
The central coastal region, which has abundant natural resources, will be used to supply materials, said the Ministry.
The ministry plans to promote the creation of new handicraft products in the southeastern region, especially items that are globally competitive, while encouraging handicraft villages in the Mekong Delta to service tourism.
However, handicraft villages are facing many difficulties in marketing their products and treating their waste.