Nov 7, 2024

Home Textiles Laos

Insights export coaching programme

With textile manufacturers, sector stakeholders and local business support organisations, we have been reflecting on the Home Textiles Laos Export Coaching Programme. At the Lao Handicraft Festival, we presented a Showcase with product ranges of 8 entrepreneurs and held a SME conference to identify our lessons learned.

This is what stood out;

Hook up! We have been encouraging entrepreneurs to work together and made connections with funding organisations, experts and market players. Tai Baan Crafts developed a new range of textiles, with guidance by a Dutch designer. USAID funded training for producer groups in natural dyeing to improve the colour consistency of these textiles. The new range was presented during Maison & Objet September 2024, and Tai Baan is currently working on orders for various EU buyers.
Make impact practical! We have been guiding SMEs in developing a market-oriented sustainability strategy. Her Works built a sustainable design and craft centre where textile artisans can train, do research and develop products. Our team of sustainability consultants, led by Long Nguyen Hong, worked with the architect in designing a centre with good working conditions for the people, state of the art wastewater treatment for the planet, and we worked on a solid strategy to develop the market to make profit and improve livelihoods of artisans in Laos.
Innovate and improve! We have been focusing on improving productivity in the manufacturing locations. Studio Silapa makes high end handmade upholstery and curtain textiles. By constant training and improving their processes, they are able to make reproducible and standardised textiles… by hand! During the programme, they have installed new dyeing technology and mechanical looms. They have also expanded their market in the EU and the US. 
Speak out! We encourage social enterprises to share their stories. Ock Pop Tok really stood out with their storytelling and proactive online promotion. Their Living Crafts Centre in Luang Prabang is a wonderful showcase of Lao textiles. The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC), have their own museum where currently their groundbreaking exhibition Claiming Inspiration can be visited. With the support of various funding organisations, they have been training artisans of ethnic group across Laos in protecting their cultural intellectual property. 
Who run the world? 90% of the SMEs we have worked with are women-owned, employ primarily women, and provide work to female home-based handicraft producers.