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Programme to uplift woodwork industry

The Ministry of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion has made arrangements for a new programme to be carried out to strengthen the woodwork industry.

Under this programme, a special meeting held by Prof. G. L. Peiris, was held at the Ministry auditorium, with the participation of Minister Gamini Lokuge, to discuss the problems encountered by traditional woodworkers of Moratuwa, manufacturers of wood based products and entrepreneurs, a press release from the Ministry said.

Among those participating were Moratuwa Carpentry Shop Owners Association, Moratuwa Furniture Shop Owners Association and Officers of the Ministry of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion and Ministry of Tourism.

Problems encountered in marketing household furniture was widely discussed. It was agreed upon to work out a clear programme which would include the intercession of the two ministries to build a relationship between manufacturer and seller, the release said. Whilst the manufacturers pointed out that they are quite capable of supplying household furniture of very high standard for the local hotel industry, they said they are able to supply furniture similar in quality to what is imported for hotels, which would also be at a lesser cost. It was also decided to hold a series of workshops based on the wood based product requirements of hotels, conducted by hotel interior furniture designers. It was proposed to hold high level exhibitions, with the objective of receiving orders for furniture and wood based products and promoting sales of Moratuwa woodwork products.

Moratuwa is recognised the leader in the woodwork industry. However, in the recent past, the local wood based industry showed a significant decline against countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines in the region.

The export income of USD 25mn in 1995 dropped to USD 11mn in 2000. The export quality furniture dominated the local market whilst young labourers were not too keen to join the woodwork industry.

A notable fact was the migration of skilled workers, which also contributed to the decline. In addition to the above, outdated technology, outdated production processes non-availability of equipment and facilities to measure the strengths and standards, not being market-oriented, lack of training facilities, high wood wastage, are among the reasons which also added on heavily to the notable drop in income in the wood based industry.

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