That was the message from Director General of the Trade Promotion Department, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Mr Xaysomphet Norasingh on Wednesday at the agreement signing ceremony between Laos and the Kingdom of the Netherlands for the Home Textiles – Laos project.

“We need to promote and help the home textile sector in Laos to improve exports to the European market as the sector continues to face challenges,” he said.

The project aims to bolster Laos’ export position in the European market as the niche market for sourcing sustainable handmade home textile products and, by doing so, increase exports and employment. It aims to establish cooperation between the signatories to support the further development of the home textile value chain in Laos.

The agreement was signed by Mr Xaysomphet Norasingh, President of the Lao Handicrafts Association; Mr Hansana Sisane: a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr Tjerk Opmeer, and Programme Manager of the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, Ms Femke Lotgerink.

The main goal of the initiative is to help the home textile sector in Laos improve its export position on the European market by taking away export marketing related bottlenecks.

Interest in new, more eco-friendly products and the increasing number of Western tourists attracted by the Southeast-Asian culture are important trends that fit well to the supply potential of Laos.

Under the agreement, the parties will implement the agreed areas of cooperation by joint participation to support the implementation of the export coaching project.

Project activities in Laos may include activities on promotion, training, coaching, CBI expert missions, and participation in Project Review Committee meetings.