Promoting specialty textile and fabrics: Marketing products from the art of weaving Jamdani and Jute diversified products (JDP) of Bangladesh in Canada Submitted by Nawshad Ali Khan CEO, JOYA and Subarno Rekha 620, Shahin Bagh, Lane-6 Tejgaon, Daka-1215 Dr. Rafat Alam Assistant Professor and Discipline Coordinator MacEwan University, Edmonton, Alberta
[email protected] (corresponding author) Submitted to Trade Facilitation of Office Canada (TFO Canada) and International Development Research Center (IDRC) September, 2016 Abstract Increased free trade and market-based policies have opened the door for export-oriented growth for developing countries. ‘But the development of trade relationships with new export markets is complex and needs more than a general privatization and liberalization policy (Keegan, 1995)’, especially for the specialty textile products that are produced by small firms in the cottage industry which overwhelmingly employ rural, low-income and female workers. Many domestic and international market obstacles make it difficult for these unique products to be exported. This paper looks into the cases of two specialty textile products from Bangladesh - Jamdani and Jute diversified products (JDP) and investigates the export problems perceived by the sectors. The paper finds that JDP is export ready and well supported by government policies and institutions. The sector also has enough export experiences in European Union (EU) and North American markets. However, the sector faces fierce competition domestically and from Indian and Chinese firms. The sector also lacks in product design and has some weaknesses in quality. A vertical network is necessary to exchange information and cooperate in quality control, design and product development among the local trade association, government supporting institutions, local firms and designers, and foreign buyers and designers.