Tapping the Value in the Upstream of the Value Chain for Sustainable Local Economic Development (SLED): Environmental and Livelihood Aspects Assessment of the Export-Oriented Handmade Clay Tiles Pottery in Kolaroa Upazila

SUMMARY  

Global value chains are the vehicles and results of globalization, which facilitate the development and functioning of markets globally by establishing and coordinating the connections between consumers, numerous suppliers, and providers. The development of more durable and cheaper mass-produced alternatives to traditional potteries has pushed the traditional pottery industry, the livelihood, and the potter communities' cultures almost to the brink of extinction potters of Bangladesh is no exception. Amidst this context, handmade clay tiles produced by the potters in the southwestern part of Bangladesh initially found a new market in the construction industry in Europe, where they are used high-value decorative wall tiles. Traditional pottery product has been integrated into the global construction industry value chain with few local entrepreneurs and with agents. This international integration of the potters of southwestern Bangladesh has produced an immediate standard set of economic and social outcomes in the form of increased income of the potter communities, reduced their migrations due to loss of livelihoods, and reduced the decay of the culture of the potter communities.  At the global level and stricter regulation relating to environmental compliance in different levels of economic activities have to put the current state and future potentials under challenges.  The international market is now much more competitive and getting difficult for local entrepreneurs to keep pace with it in terms of price, technology, and other variables.  The communities and entrepreneurs require appropriate technological and management adaptations to reap the potentials of this industry with environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The proposed research aims to explore the clay tiles value chain (in Satkhira regions, specifically Kolaroa Upazila) in a comprehensive manner and its internationalization, emphasizing analysis of its economic and social contributions toward the livelihood of the potter communities. This very study also showcases the LED status and livelihood mapping of the Kolaroa region. Moreover, the research also aims to portray the product morphology and environmental analysis of the industry with a purpose toward developing a sustainable clay tiles sector with international competitiveness. The sustainable value chain of export-oriented clay tiles, sustainable LED (local economic development) framework, industrial ecology, and sustainable indigenous craft framework in clay tiles, individual firm sustainability in the entire value chain are proposed in the report.

• Research Project