DHAKA: A workshop on products of cane and bamboo was held in the capital Wednesday where the manufacturers lamented that they are not getting fair price of their handicrafts.

The workshop was organized by Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI) on the theme ‘ Problems and resolution of making and marketing of cane and bamboo products’ at the forest department auditorium.
 
Dr Wahed Bakht, director of BFRI, said a total of 4,200 individuals and organizations are involved with the industry. The products are exported after meeting country’s demand. But real artisans do not get the fair price of their homespun products.

He said use of bamboos in making houses and in different industries is on the rise, but their production is on the fall.

“Everybody should give attention to boosting its production in the country,” he said.

Astina Chiran, resident of Modhupur in Tangail district, told the workshop that the price they get selling a particular item is far below the price it is sold at in other markets, including Dhaka.

She said if they could get fair prices, then they could make quality goods.

Deputy-chief forest conservator Atiqur Rahman, chief research official of BFRI Abdul Khalek and forest conservator Ratan Kumar Majumdar also spoke at the meet.

BDST: 1330 HRS, June 16, 2010
AKR/RT/EH/MUA