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MCC is providing marketing assistance and design assistance
to 9 enterprises.
1. Action Bag Handicrafts - There are about 54 producers who are
involved in making different type of jute bags, shopping bags, school
bags, purses etc. This project was started in 1977 and located in northern
part of Bangladesh.
2. Biborton Handmade Paper Project - Biborton Handmade Paper Project
is located in the district of Barisal in Bangladesh. There are about 69
producers who are making handmade paper and paper products from the material
of water hyacinth. There products are- photo albums journals, tablets,
stationary, photo frames, note lets etc.
3. Bagdha Enterprise - Bagdha Enterprise is located in the village
of Bagdha, the enterprise first began with making jute and hemp rope and
twine in 1982. Three years later a wood-working component was added. There
are about 175 producers involved in this project. Many of the women work
from their homes and come to the center every few days for new supplies
and to drop off their work. Bagdha women produce balls of hemp twine in
many different colors and sizes, wooden toys, candle holders, jump ropes,
twine purses and bath mitts and much more.
4. Bonoful Handmade Paper Project - Set among a patch-work of rice
paddies and fish ponds, the Bonoful Handmade Paper enterprise produces
paper out of a variety of locally available materials: hemp, wheat-straw,
pineapple leaves, and cotton waste from the garment industry. This variety
of fiber gives Bonoful's products a range of unique textures and colors.
Bonoful was established in 1993 to meet the increasing demand for handmade
paper and now offers a unique range of photo albums, greeting cards, gift-bags,
and specialty boxes. There are about 60 producers working in this project.
5. Eastern Screen Printers - This project is located in northern
part of Bangladesh. Eastern Screen Printers many intricate cards are made
on handmade paper. The screen printing process is fascinating to watch,
as the ink is smeared over the treated screen and comes through in a delicate
pattern on the paper underneath. Women learn skills of precision and artistry
as they carefully match up patterns in order to layer several colors.
The number of producers are 27.
6. Jobarpar Enterprise - This project is located in the district
of Barisal in Bangladesh. Jobarpar is now using water hyacinth twine and
paper to make a variety of creative and unique products. Jobarpar is known
for its water hyacinth baskets, jewelry, greeting cards, and paper angels.
There are about 43 producers.
7. Keya Palm Handicrafts - This project is located in the district
of Barisal in Bangladesh. A group of seven women in 1987 learned to weave
bracelets, pencil holders, napkin rings and baskets out of Keya leaves
and Palm leaves. From these simple beginnings the project has grown, both
in the number of producers, and in the variety of its products. The most
popular product is the star streamer which now decorates rooms and Christmas
trees all over the world. The enterprise is located in the Barisal region,
a lovely green paradise of rivers and rice fields, where palm trees grow
in abundance. About 91 producers are working in this project.
8. Shuktara Handmade Paper Project - Shuktara started production
in 1989 and is one of the first productive hand made paper enterprises
in Bangladesh. The market was extremely receptive to Shuktara's jute paper
and the enterprise continued to expand and hire more producers. Shuktara's
producers are very skilled in making jute hand made paper and paper products.
This enterprise is known for its beautifully decorated cards and stationery
sets using block print and embossing. This project is located in district
Noakhali, Feni. There are about 73 producers.
9. Surjosnato Coconut Products - A need for employment was identified
in the Ramgonj area to address the high population with limited land resources.
Initially established in 1977 as an enterprise for solar-drying fruits
and vegetables, Surjosnato Coconut Project later settled on drying coconut
as the most marketable and profitable product. Women clean, grate, preserve
and solar-dry the shredded coconut. From the discarded husks of the coconut,
fiber is removed which is spun into rope and made into floor mats and
wall hangings. Many women work from their homes, allowing them the freedom
to schedule their own work hours. Other women work at the enterprise where
they enjoy the camaraderie and support of their co-workers. The numbers
of producers are about 106.
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