On October 07, 2021, a launching webinar on “Supporting development of Jashore stitch” was organized by DEW Crafts in partnership with PRABRIDDHI project.
PRABRIDDHI project is co-funded by Switzerland and the Government of Bangladesh and jointly implemented by Swisscontact and the Local Government Division. DEW Crafts is a WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization) certified Guaranteed Fair Trade Social Enterprise, working since 1996 to promote the traditional handicraft sector in Bangladesh and beyond. PRABRIDDHI project has made a partnership with DEW Crafts to support the development of Jashore stitch.
Jashore Stitch entails hand-embroidered crafts by rural artisans of Jashore. The handicrafts sector of Jashore is faced with challenges related to product quality, innovation, market expansion, and lack of a common platform representing a strong brand essence. As part of the collaboration with DEW Crafts, several initiatives will be implemented to revive the handicrafts sector of Jashore. The entrepreneurs and the artisans will be supported to develop their products, skills, and market linkages. Different actors in the sector will be engaged to jointly develop and promote Jashore stitch. These initiatives will expand the customer base and product sales of Jashore stitch and create sustainable income opportunities for the entrepreneurs and the artisans.
The launching webinar was inaugurated by Ms. Corrine Henchoz Piagnini, Deputy Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh. Mr. Shah Abdus Salam, Founder, and CEO of DEW Crafts gave the opening remarks.
Mr. Md. Abul Monsur, Secretary, Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh Government was the chief guest of this webinar and Mr. Md. Haider Ghani Khan, mayor, Jashore Municipality graced the event as the special guest. Both guests provided useful directions for the success of the intervention.
Azmol Hossain, Secretary, Jashore Municipality, Mujibul Hasan, Country Director, Swisscontact Bangladesh, Markus Ehmann, Team Leader, PRABRIDDHI, Swapan Kumar Das, Chairman ECOTA Fair Trade Forum (EFTF), CEO, Prokritee have also shared their valuable insights about the development of Jashore stitch.
Besides, the entrepreneurs from Jashore handicrafts sector, prominent national buyers and representative from e-Commerce and f-commerce platforms attended the event.
Ms. Salma Ahmed, and Md. Mamunur Rahman jointly moderated the webinar.