‘Bamyan handicraft market down, products smuggled’

BAMYAN CITY (Pajhwok): Some crafts persons in central Bamyan province have complained against the dwindling market condition of handicraft products and claimed some of their products smuggled to the neighboring countries.

Salma Ahmadi, head of the Dahak Handicraft Association in Bamyan City, said handicraft market was down this year comparing to the past year and claimed some of their handicraft items smuggled to the neighboring countries particularly Pakistan.

She claimed some handicraft items specially carpet and Hazar variety of clothes are smuggled to Pakistan from where it was exported to other countries against a high price.

She said last year 80 women worked in the handicraft production in her association but this year the number had dropped to 35 women.

Zahra Haidari, one of the handicraft person, also complained against the dwindling market condition for handicraft products.

She said in monthly revenue from handicraft products reached 35,000 afs last year while this year it stood at less than 10,000 afs.

Naeem Rezae, deputy director of Commerce and Industry, rejected the smuggling claim of handicraft products to the neighbouring nations.

He added efforts were being made to support the handicraft industry in the province and the problems faced by industrialist had been shared with the central office.

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