Handicrafts made of coconut shells prove a hit
A visitor browsing at stalls. Photo: STAR
Attractive handicrafts made from coconut shells turned out to be a hit at the Mymensingh Handicrafts Fair. The fair ended yesterday.
The craft items included lamps, coins, dolls, butterflies, storks, turtles, pen stands and trees. The showpieces and other handicrafts go for anything between Taka 150 and 1000 -- according to variety.
Md. Rahat Patwari, director of the Dhaka-based Reeda Craft, told The Daily Star that earlier he sold shataranji (mat) at wandering fairs in different places of the country. Later, Rahat got the idea to make coconut shell showpieces and attractive items from a youth whom he met at a fair in Bagerhat four years ago.
“We collect coconut from Bagerhat according to size and the handicrafts are made at a factory in Rangpur,” said Rahat, adding that the factory has around 100 female workers.
Rahat's company Reeda Craft has participated in other fairs organised in various places including Sylhet and Habiganj.
The company sells its products through prominent handicraft shops in Dhaka. “Our showpieces are also exported to Italy on a small scale. There is a good market for such products in Europe,” he said. The business house received the first prize at the Bangla Academy Mela last year. “Now my sales have increased,” he asserted.
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