Development in association with preserving traditional craft villages

Relevant departments and sectors of the province and localities need to coordinate to remove difficulties while advising on support policies for traditional craft villages to maintain their development as well as preserving the long craft village culture of the homeland...Nguyen Van Loi, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of provincial Party Committee, Head of provincial National Assembly deputy delegation made the statement when coming to survey and work with the local ceramics and lacquer associations yesterday morning (September 15).

Enterprises still facing many difficulties

Reporting to the working group of provincial Party Committee Secretary, representative of Binh Duong Ceramics Association said that due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic and the world’s economic downturn, ceramic enterprises’ production and business situation faced many difficulties. It is estimated that in the first 9 months of 2023, enterprises in the association reached about 60% of the plan, down 50% compared to the same period in 2022. It is predicted that in the coming time, people in many countries will tighten their spending, so ceramic enterprises’ production activities will be still difficult.

Nguyen Van Loi (first right), Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of provincial Party Committee, Head of provincial National Assembly deputy delegation works with enterprises under provincial Ceramics Association

Due to the difficult production and business situation, many enterprises have reduced the number of laborers, including highly skilled ones. According to representative of the association, this is very unfortunate because skilled workers in the production and export of fine art ceramics must have a very long training process. On the other hand, few workers are interested in making fine art ceramics at present. Enterprises are worried that when orders return, they will face difficulties in recruiting workers, especially skilled ones, which will affect their productivity and business efficiency.

One of obstacles proposed by provincial Ceramics Association to the province for settlement is the relocation of ceramic enterprises to industrial parks and compounds. Nguyen Tien Thanh, Chairman of Binh Duong provincial Ceramics Association has raised a petition on extending the time for ceramic enterprises that are under the relocation.

 “Currently, we do not know which businesses will have to relocate and where they will move to. However, there are some enterprises whose land lease has expired and cannot apply for extension because of relocation policies. This greatly affects their production and business activities", Mr. Thanh said. He added that big customers inspect enterprises factories every year. They will limit or stop purchasing goods if enterprises’ legal procedures are incomplete.

Investment must be effective

Working with the working group of provincial Party Committee Secretary, representative of provincial Lacquer - Sculpture Association reported on the activities of the association over the past time as well as the production and business activities of the lacquer craft village in the first 8 months of 2023. Accordingly, the association's production reached 60% of the plan during the period. The export market is concentrated in Asia with 60% and Europe with 40%. The association petitioned the province and Thu Dau Mot city to soon implement the Project on preserving and developing Tuong Binh Hiep lacquer craft village combined with tourism.

Thai Kim Dien, Chairman of provincial Lacquer - Sculpture Association said the project is the expectation of lacquer workers in the province. This is not only a place to introduce lacquer products of craft villages, but also a place to preserve the cultural values ​​and traditions of lacquer craft. This is also one of the interesting destinations for tourists when coming to Thu Dau Mot city.

Members of the association also proposed the province to support investment in machinery and equipment to reduce input costs, creating conditions for enterprises and establishments to produce lacquer wares towards green and sustainable development. In addition, the association also proposed the province's functional agencies to support the organization of trade promotion programs and the participation in domestic and foreign fairs to promote products to customers near and far.

Speaking at the working session, Mr. Loi spoke highly of the association, artisans and painters for their efforts in overcoming many difficulties, maintaining production, creating jobs and contributing to preserving the local lacquer craft village. Provincial Party Committee Secretary requested relevant sectors of the province and Thu Dau Mot city to acknowledge opinions by the association and report them to provincial Party Standing Committee. The province’s functional branches need to study and apply the Party and State policies towards craft villages; create more favorable conditions for the local lacquer craft village to further develop production and business while preserving and promoting its cultural values ​​combined with experiential tourism.

Regarding the Project on preserving and developing Tuong Binh Hiep lacquer craft village combined with tourism, provincial Party Committee Secretary requested Thu Dau Mot city and relevant sectors to review, adjust and supplement appropriate contents before submitting them to provincial People's Committee for approval to deploy investment in the near future. “Investment must be effective. If it's not effective, then don't invest. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate and adjust appropriately before implementing the project...", Mr. Loi emphasized.

Earlier, when surveying at Minh Long I Co., Ltd. and working with provincial Ceramics Association, Mr. Loi acknowledged and spoke highly of the efforts by Minh Long I Co., Ltd. and other enterprises in  overcoming difficulties in production. He also shared difficulties with ceramic enterprises in production and business as well as the preservation and maintenance of traditional crafts. He requested relevant departments, sectors of the province and Thuan An city to coordinate in removing ceramic enterprises’ difficulties. Particularly, they need to advise the province on setting up support policies for relocation to industrial parks, compounds and policies on land rental prices; capital, trade promotion..., creating favorable conditions for ceramic enterprises to maintain production development as well as preserving the local traditional crafts...

Reported by Tri Dung-Translated by Kim Tin