Arakanese weaving industry faces raw materials shortages, slumping demand

By DMG 17 Mar 2021

DMG Newsroom
17 March 2021, Sittwe

The weaving industry in Arakan State is facing difficulties as raw materials cannot be ordered and demand for fabrics is down, tradespeople told DMG.

The Shwe Kyar Arakanese weaving operation at Kyar Mathauk village in Sittwe Township has been suspended since the second week of March and some workers have also been furloughed, according to Daw Ma Aye, the owner.

“Currently, we cannot transfer money because the banks have suspended services and mobile internet is shut off. And we cannot order the raw materials we need because people are protesting in the towns where we place orders,” she said.

The industry’s raw materials include Indian cotton yarn sourced from Mandalay and Monywa. Daw Ma Aye said she is seeking to get her factory back up and running and to restore her workers to gainful employment as soon as possible.

More than 90 people were working at the Shwe Kyar weaving outfit before clashes broke out in Arakan State, with about 40 of them quitting as the factory struggled to operate effectively due to the conflict.

The workers are from different townships in Arakan State including Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Pauktaw, Rathedaug, Mrauk-U and Minbya.

At its peak, Shwe Kyar operated with more than 100 power looms and hand looms.

“When clashes occurred and the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, we couldn’t sell our fabrics. So, we have had to suspend all handweaving looms. Ten out of 100 looms are working,” Daw Ma Aye said.

Ma Kyawt Kyawt Oo, an entrepreneur in the trade, said: “My business has not been good since the start of the outbreak of COVID-19. We are facing difficulties to order raw materials. And we do not have many buyers.”

Handweaver Ma Ni Ni Aye said her wage for a fabric is down from K10,000 to K8,000 due to lower demand, which she blames on the pandemic.

There are six villages in Sittwe Township where the handweaving industry is concentrated: Ywar Bo, Thein Tan, Taw Kan, Gant Gaw Kyun, Kyauktan Chay and Kyar Mathauk.