Laksala franchise agency in Italy

THE Sri Lanka Handicrafts Board, will appoint Lanka Vision International (Pvt) Limited as the Laksala Franchise Agency in Italy. The agreement to this effect will be signed today, in Colombo.

Under this agreement Lanka Vision International will be able to promote gems, jewellery, handicrafts, decorative products and all other products manufactured under `Laksala' trade name in Italy from October 1.

The company while using the logo will also be responsible for carrying out surveys in relation to the marketability of Laksala products and assist the Handicraft Board in taking part in any international trade fair that will be held in Italy.

Lanka Vision International, Managing Director D.G.W. Muhandiramge told the Daily News that this agreement will help Laksala to promote its brand name in Italy as the company is entitled to appoint sub-agents in the area for canvassing, booking and placing orders for the import of the products from Sri Lanka.

"As the sole agent, we are entitled to import merchandise from the Handicraft Board on prepaid basis. The Handicraft Board, as the principal of this agreement will pay the agent a commission equivalent to 10 percent of the FOB Colombo value of the goods," he said.

Muhandiramge said his company will be committed to promote Laksala goods in Italy which will augur well for the handicraft producers in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile a Handicraft Museum for which Rs. three million has been allocated will be set up in the Fort Laksala building to show the evolution from the past up to the modern era. Paintings of famous artists in Sri Lanka will be displayed here and operations will commence shortly.

In addition, the Sri Lanka Handicrafts Board will launch several development projects next year to attract more tourists in order to achieve expected profit targets.

Laksala, is mostly patronised by tourists who look for local crafts at reasonable prices, helped boost countrywide craftsmen engaged in various traditional crafts, whose products are purchased by Laksala and sold in the Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Kegalle outlets.

The Emporium's product range includes the spectrum of Sri Lanka's handicrafts turned out by master craftsmen of Sri Lanka.

Handicrafts made in wood, brass, silver, rush and reed, natural fiber, papier mache, buffalo horn, coconut shell, cane and bamboo, household linen, batiks, embroidered garments, lace, lacquer products, toys, pottery, artificial flowers and costume jewelry, are also available.

Laksala was set up during the Sirimavo Bandaranaike regime by the then Minister Siva Obeysekera.