Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei Darussalam`s handicraft and traditional textiles have vast potential to attract the interest of the Japanese market. However, local companies must first come up with the winning design in order to penetrate into the Land of the Rising Sun.
The project to bring in Brunei`s handicraft and traditional textiles into Japan come under the Development and Export Promotion of Brunei Handicraft Product under Brunei Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (BJEPA).
Mr Yoshio Namula, one of the experts and president of the textile company NEED`K Co Ltd, who is currently touring Brunei`s local textile companies, in an interview said: "Brunei`s handicraft and traditional textiles have their uniqueness and are polished to a higher standard compared to other Asean countries. However, in order to attract Japanese buyers, some modifications must to be done."
"There are two factors that need improvement. One of which is to modify Brunei`s distinct unique products to cater to the Japanese market whether their design patents or colours.
"The other is that companies still have a lot to learn about the price ranges and procedure of exporting their products overseas," he said.
On the preference of the Japanese market, he described that Japanese taste is very flexible and they like unique cultural products. The current basic trend is ethnicity and cultural-based products. Therefore, there is a huge market in Japan.
On Monday, Mr Yoshio Namula visited the Bajoo Fashion House.
Yesterday, he paid a visit to another local fashion house to give some advice on their products.
"In order for Brunei`s products to penetrate into the Japanese market, it will first have to be showcased at exhibitions. To enter the exhibition, the company needs to make preparation on the quality and design to suit the market. Therefore, Brunei companies might have to adjust the design until it meets the market`s expectation," he said.
"Successful Brunei companies can showcase their products at the end of next year at a major international exhibition in Tokyo," he added.
As an expert in textile, he said: "The batik and Kain Tenunan of Brunei are very interesting and with a few new designs, it may become attractive products in Japan," he said.
Speaking on other Asean countries that have made a huge impact in Japan are companies from Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and European countries.
Next year, Mr Yoshio Namula will visit the Sultanate to look at the progress in the creation of the products that will attract Japanese buyers.
Source:
http://www.brunei-online.com (December 4, 2008)