YANGON, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar Arts and Crafts Association (MACA) has urged the government to set up a handicrafts center or build a handicrafts village to boost the country's handicrafts market to be able to penetrate the European and U.S. markets, the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported Monday.
At a recent meeting between Vice President U Myint Swe and businessmen, MACA also called on the government to lift or waive tax imposed on small-scale businessmen as the handicrafts market has been cooling with the burden of taxation rising.
MACA requested the government to grant a temporary tax exemption or tax waiver before the market recovers.
Currently, Myanmar's arts and crafts industry is facing extinction due to shortage of skilled laborers and lower demand, the report added.
Myanmar is well known for its wood carving, lacquer ware, tapestries and embroidery.
