Lao textile producer and designer focuses on overseas markets
 
The Khang brand is again focusing on export markets for its textile products, especially Japan which has always been the organisation’s main market, following the resumption of economic activities after disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Khang’s weavers making silk clothes.

“The export of Lao textile products is now increasing after business slowed down during the past two years due to the Covid-19 outbreak,” Ms Viengkham Nanthavongdouangsy, the textile and fashion designer of Khang brand, told Vientiane Times recently.
“Khang has now received another order from Japan, which is the fourth order in 2022. Each order has been for different types of products, such as fabrics, scarves and shawls,” she said.
Khang is also working on an order to produce Obi, a wide sash or belt of silk worn to secure the kimono, for one of its long-term clients in Japan. This work will take three months to complete.
Ms Viengkham is part of the “Kimono” project, which was brought to Laos by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in 2010-11. The project aims to develop Japanese Kimono, Obi and accessories, through business matching between Lao textile producers and Japanese Kimono industries.
She has had the opportunity to meet buyers and continues to work with several Kimono companies, one of which is Omiya Co Ltd.
“We celebrated 10 years of our business relations last year,” Ms Viengkham said. Though the Japanese company could not place any orders amid the pandemic, it kept communicating and encouraging Khang regularly. “This affirms that they value their suppliers, which Khang has deeply appreciated,” she said.
When Vientiane Times asked Ms Viengkham about the strengths and challenges for Khang after the freezing of the export market for about two years, she replied that the brand was lucky to have been able to keep its workshop and weavers working.
“We had to adapt our working methods, with, for example, more women working from home, from their villages. So, when the situation picked up, Khang could immediately accept orders from clients,” she said.
With countries around the world grappling with inflation and high fuel prices, Ms Viengkham said: “Probably no one will be able to avoid it impacting the prices of raw materials and transportation, but at least by exporting our products, we can earn foreign currency, which will be of great help for us.”
Responding to a question about how she sees the future of the Lao textile business, she said: “During the difficult times of Covid-19, when Laos closed its borders, we could see that Lao people appreciated Lao culture and Lao products more than ever, and that was good for the domestic market.
However, for the export market, the traditional handicrafts need to be developed so that the design of the products adapts to the requirements of buyers living in different societies.”

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update August 2, 2022)