Year - 2022

Year - 2021

NOREC Exchange Program: Round -2

 

• PARTNERS’ DISCUSSION MEETING

 

Partners’ Discussion Meeting on 25th February, 2021,  discussed on the following agenda shared below:

• Reporting of Nepal Bangladesh Exchange Program Round 1
• Discuss on Implementation (ongoing activities) of Norec Project for Round 2 in 2021
• Plan and Discussion on modality of series of workshops on the 10 Principles of Fair Trade

 

• PLAN SHARING MEETING WITH MEMBERS

Organized Plan Sharing Meeting of the Nepal Bangladesh Exchange Program 2021  at the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh (CBCB). 26 participants from member organization joined the event. Shared and presented Project report of Round 1 and Planned activities and budget of Round-2.

 

 

• ORIENTATION on   GENDER EQUALITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION (GESI)- perspective in national laws, policies and programs

Organized orientation to our members on   GENDER EQUALITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION (GESI)- perspective in national laws, policies and programs; and labor laws from rights perspective, its implementation and challenges. 26 participants from member organization joined the event and celebrated International Women’s Day 2021 – “Women of Fair Trade Choose to Challenge”. Distributed hand placard and Face Mask. The orientation session was facilitated by Ms. Nasima Akter, Gender and Inclusion Expert (Individual Consultant). A detail handout on Women rights and Law of Bangladesh distributed among the participants. Besides this PPT presentation and Power walk role and statements used in the session.

Celebration World Fair Trade Day 2021

Shared Tool Kit , and Poster ( including Bangla) of WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY2021 to Members.

Organizing virtual gathering which  held on Saturday 8 May 2021 from 03:00pm – 06:00pm.  ECOTA along with its 38 member organizations joined together to share and discuss best practices for people and the planet. Full session facilitated by Chairman Swapan Kumar Das.

Took  part in the social media photo challenge: Took picture of ourselves holding the #BuildBackFairer poster and shared members post in social media.

Discussion  on Fair Trade Practice"  on the occasion of Fair Trade Day 2021l

Discussion on Best Practices People and Planet organized virtually on zoom platform, presented by Mr. Aminul Islam , Freelance Consultant.

• Joined virtually Fair Trade Practices Sharing session of  FTG Nepal ( principle 1&2) on 4^th April and  ( principle 3&4) on 14^th May, ECOTA secretariat shared presentation ( PPT & Video) on Bangladesh perspectives

Halfway Meetingwith Norecand FTGN regarding the following cooperation on 24th June How the covid 19 has impacted and affected two countries Challenges virtual communication and inability to physical connect. Transfer of the  fund Purchase Equipments

DEVELOPMENT OF MARKETING PLAN 

• Virtual Session on MARKETING PLAN include the topics are Marketing Myopia, SWOT Analysis, Five force Analysis, Market Survey, Example of Marketing plan; use and importance of Digital/Social Media Marketing

 26 People participated

RETAIL MANAGEMENT

• Virtual Session on Retail Management: Store Design ( October 10)
•  Virtual Session on Retail Management- Customer Service/ Customer Care tomorrow with underlying topics on Customer profiling, customer profiling and customer loyalty management: (October 15)
• Virtual Session on Product Assortment &Inventory Management: (October 20 )

10 people participated from member organizations

 

E-Commerce (E-Business/ Internet Based Business Model)

Module-01: An introduction to e-Commerce- Current state and Future opportunities

Module-02: Getting e-Commerce business ready

Module-03: Getting e-Commerce business ready

12 Member organizations participated this training workshop

Training Workshop on  Health and Safety-The Post Covid-19 and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP),

4^th   to 5^th December 2021. 30 people participated in this workshop facilitated by EHS center + North South University. Workshop inauguration session:  Mr. Shah Abdus Salam, Vice Chaiman and Uthien Maung , Treasurer presented and shield the participants. In the closing session Charirman connected via zoom and SK Munwar hossian, Member distributed certificate of completion to the participants

Organized Training Workshop on Design Skills & Product Development

1.  Diversified Handicrafts  products- (Jute, Sea Grass, Rattan, Straw, palm leaf etc) 0n 17 Dec-20 Dec 2021, 11 designers participated
2. Home textile & Home Décor; 0n 21 Dec-23 Dec 2021 ; 13 designers participated

Trainer Pannel :

1. Shawon Akand, Artist, Researcher & Curator
2. Shamim Reza, Professor, Fine Art , Jahngirnagar University
3. Farhana Ferdausi, Chairman, Arts & craft, Fine Art, Dhaka University
4. Golam Dastagir, Designer
5. Amir Hamza, Textile Engineer

Location: Shishu Polli Plus, Tengra, Sreepur, Gazipur

Chairman  & Vice chairman of ECOTA connected virtually and welcomed the participants in inauguration session. EC Members connected virtually  in the closing session of the workshop

CRAFTS BAZAR

Year - 2020

World Fair Trade Day 2020

This Fair Trade Day, ECOTA along with its entire respected members celebrated virtually on Zoom platform the World Fair Trade Day 2020 on the 9th of May, 2020 to make planet Fair Trade a reality.  The world is in lockdown due to the Corona virus pandemic. But we were connected more than ever.  Visually showcased our cooperation and connection from our homes. And shown the world we are in solidarity in this difficult time.

.

International Women’s Day Campain-2020

ECOTA celebrated and campaigned for International Women’s Day on the 8^th of March 2020. It was observed that almost all organizations celebrated the day with full of activities and events everywhere. And stories and activities of women leaders were published on social media.

Capacity Building Training & Workshop .

A.   Training Workshop on “Storytelling for Your Organization and Products":

 

ECOTA  organized a workshop on "Storytelling for Your Organization and Products" at the The Saffron Hall , 22/15 Khiljee Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka.  The workshop was conducted by Ms. Jackie Johnson Corlett, Managing Director of Motif Ltd. 17 key staff members from ECOTA’s member organizations attended the workshop.  This workshop gave the participants a practical know-how on storytelling effectively and everyone had great interests in the subject. During the training, the participants practiced the activities on their own under the guidance of Ms. Corlett which was of great a learning experience for everyone!

 

 

The Treasurer of ECOTA, Mr. U Thein Maung, EC Members :Mr. Shah Abdus Salam, Mr. Shahid Hussain Shamim, Mr. Monju Haque and Mr. SK Munwar Hossain presented shields to the organizers as token of appreciation, moreover Certificates of participation were distributed among the participants.

 

SUPPORT SERVICE

• Secretariat has full support to membership process of WFTO for Creation Pvt. Ltd. Now Creation is a Provisional member of WFTO.
• Support to People Tree for wage interview
• Translation : On request from WFTO Global to translate the Fashion Revolution document. Secretariat translated this documents supported by chairman of ECOTA

New Member  of ECOTA

ECOTA assisted in assessing applications for membership of some new applicant organizations during this year.  With direct involvement and assistance of the honorable Executive Committee members, the Secretariat completed required verifications and visits of the new applicants in order to be able to provide associate membership to the following 7 (four) new organizations:

 

• Leatherina Pvt Ltd
• Rangpur Craft
• Bunon Kutir Ltd
• Kutiron Ltd
• BCD Craft
• Anek Asha Kutir Shilpo
• Charushy Sataranji and Crafts BD
• Palli Crafts ltd.

 

MARKET FACILITATION/ LINKAGE

 

During this fiscal year ECOTA disseminated various buyers’ information/requirements  to its members organizations, namely:

 

1.  laura gisby, UK
2. Faunamade, USA.
3. KLAY , NZ

CBI Export Coaching Project - Handmade Home Decoration and Home Textiles (HDHT):

ECOTA has listed as a BSO of this Project. ECOTA supported to CBI to arrange Kick-off conference CBI project Home Decoration & Home Textiles Bangladesh hold on 1st and 2nd of March, 2020.

Collaboration with  iDE

• ECOTA visited iDE project area in Rangpur to promote fair trade towards their entrepreneurs become member of ECOTA.. 
• Informational support to iDE for their new project - Capacity Building of Rural Women SMEs in the production of Reusable Fabric Masks.

NOREC  Exchange Program:

Round -1

Norec Training 1 at Bangkok 13 Oct to 19 Oct 2019 Mr Ahad & Ms Roksana participated this training;

Partnership forum Meeting in OSLO: Md. Nuruzzaman attended partner meeting and NOREC training program on 10^th November  to 16^th November 2019.

Exchange for travel to host country: 15^th December 2019 

Sending Participants ( ECOTA);

1. Md. Ahad Hossin , Marketing Officer ( from Golden Jute Product)
2. Roaksana Akter Eaty, Retail Sales Officer ( From Prokritee)

Mr. Md Ahad Hossin  assigned at Association for Craft Producers (ACP) and Ms. Roksana Akter Eaty will be assigned at Sana Hastakala

Hosting Participants ( FTGN) :

1. SajaL hajar Paswan, Dyeing Technician
2. Namrata Shahi, Retail Sales Officer

Mr. Sajal Hajara  assigned at Sreepur Village Trade and Ms. Namrata Shahi will be assigned at Prokritee.

Covid 19 Situation:

Norec therefore regrets to announce that all new exchanges and trainings are postponed until November 2020, at the earliest. All Norec Participants on ongoing exchanges contracts to be terminated by 14th July 2020.In response to query regarding the follow-up work, Norec has encouraged to carry out related activities even if exchanges are cut off short. And regarding partner meeting, it is not encouraged to undertaken any.All partnerships are encouraged to design work from home project related activities for those that have repatriated back to home country.

ECOTA and FTGN worked together and prepared updated budget and round amendment application to submit NOREC. And explained we are now looking forward to repatriating our participants and continue their learning experience. With the ongoing pandemic, we all have surely realized the advantages of the digital technology and are planning to make the best use of this in our exchange. Online sessions, meetings, online audio and visual resources, monitoring tools will be helpful in imparting the skills and knowledge to the participants and evaluating its impact. the monitoring visits will help to verify the progress made. With support of our participants, we are looking forward to strengthening the marketing systems of our members organizations and beyond by including digital marketing to connect the products and stories of marginalized vulnerable producers behind it, developing of promotional materials etc.  Amendment application has been approved.

 

Repatriation

Mr. Sajal and Ms. Namrata repatriated  on 21^st June2020 from Bangladesh .  Ms. Roksana repatriated on 14^th June 2020 and stayed in quarantine at home for 14 days.

We have completed 1st Round of Exchange and organized a sharing workshop with EC Members and FTG Nepal. Participants presented their presentation through their learning experiences. For the adopted new modality of Exchange program 2021, ECOTA secretariat helped to FTG Nepal for the preparation of proposal and budget ( ECOTA’s portion). In this activates ECOTA secretariat got support from Treasure Mr. U Thein Maung. In December 20 those proposal and budget approved by Norec.

Fair Trade PPE

WFTO Asia in cooperation with its members and partners will pursue the Fair Trade COVID 19 Response in Asia.   One of the key components of this program is the ‘Fair Trade PPEs’.   We are now forming a consortium of WFTO Asia members and partners that will produce and distribute ‘Fair Trade PPEs’ intended primarily for the poor and marginalized, frontline medical personnel, frontline social workers, and others involved in the management and control of the COVID 19 Pandemic.    

ECOTA  actively responded Fair Trade COVID 19 Response in Asia, and shared HK Mask tutorial & documents  with their members and supported WFTO asia for product inventory, and signed MOU with ECOTA members. ECOTA  has been formed a coordination committee

21 Members organizations  joined the peoples mask Consortium. Secretariat

1. Made samples of mask and distributed to consortium members.
2. Made a brochure of People’s mask  and disseminate to    different stakeholders.
3.  Appointed  Angela Malaker  as a Workforce Representative work at home  to coordinate
4. ECOTA collect fabrics from TSDS and distributed  requested members  for produced 100 pcs peoples mask for promotion

Gender Equity program with PTF and CAid: Respective EC Members actively participated series of webinar meeting with PTF & CAid to prepare content and budget.  As per consulted with CAID & PTF  ECOTA Secretariat developed a piloting of this project ; Initially 5 FTO involve and 10 mid-level manager( 2 from each FTO) and 50 peer educator ( 10 from each FTO). And prepared a  budget helped by U thein  Mmaung and shared to CAID and PTF. Capacity Building of Rural Women SMEs ( WEESMS-iDE) in the production of Reusable Fabric Masks: As per agreement with iDE,  ECOTA Secretariat Deliberated following assignments; Hired a facilitator / expertise about mask production Introductory Meeting with ECOTA&  iDE  on 19th October 2020 Contract signed DevelopedTraining Modulee in English & Bangla for People’s Mask Production ,  Costing and Social Media Marketing Conducted 4-Hours Design Training  Workshop on People’s Mask Production ,  Costing and Social Media Marketing( 4 workshops two in Rangpur, one in Khulna and  one in Jashore with 10 SMEs in each session via video conferencing Facilitated Follow-up and Feedback Session with 40 SMEs via video conferencing Debrief Meeting  between iDE/WEESMS & ECOTA Presentation by ECOTA on People Mask production training & feedback and the follow-up session Comments from Chairman, ECOTA Remarks from People Mask Producer, Artisan Hut

Year - 2019

FAIR TRADE PROMOTION

 

World Fair Trade Day 2019

Some organizations celebrated fair trade day for a week this year.  ECOTA celebrated World Fair Trade Day 2019 on the 12^th of May, 2019 in Dhaka. Respected Chief Executive Officers and Managing Directors from most of our member organizations participated in this celebration and expressed their valuable words on the theme of the day – fair trade, solutions for the people and the planet before profits!  The event was organized at on The Food House restaurant by Saffron Threads in Mohammadpur.

 

“Solutions for people and planet’ is our World Fair Trade Day 2019 theme and celebration message was dedicated to the global consumers.  The opening address was given by Mr. Swapan Kumar Das, the honorable Chairperson of ECOTA.  In this meeting, Mr. U Thein Maung, Treasurer, Mr. Shah Abdus Salam, Vice Chairperson,  Mr Rashedul Karim Munna, Managing director  of  Creation Pvt Ltd, Ms. Tushar Kona Khandker, Director of Dhaka Handicrafts, Mr. Kamal J Gomes, CEO of Shohojogita, Mr. Hakim Sardar, Managing Partner of Golden Jute Products, Ms. Afsana Asif, Managing Partner of A-Six company, Ms. Shahnaz Parveen from Aranya Crafts Ltd, Ms. Khaleda Sultana from Jute Mart and Ms. Sharmin Afrose from Jothashilpa delivered their valuable speeches on Fair Trade and showed their kind commitments to carry forward this movement in the future.

 

The event’s photographs and videos were also published on social medias, like, Youtube, Facebook, Tweeter which were shared among the members, supporters, friends and partners immediately.

 

International Women’s Day Campain-2019

ECOTA celebrated and campaigned for International Women’s Day on the 8^th of March 2019 this year with a theme of Women Leaders to Balance For Better. It was observed that almost all organizations celebrated the day with full of activities and events everywhere. And stories and activities of women leaders were published on social media.                                                             

 

Capacity Building Training & Workshop

 

A.   Training Workshop on “Storytelling for Your Organization and Products":

 

ECOTA  organized a workshop on "Storytelling for Your Organization and Products" at the Prokritee Headquarters in Dhaka.  The workshop was conducted by Ms. Jackie Johnson Corlett, Managing Director of Motif Ltd. 20 key staff members from ECOTA’s member organizations attended the workshop.  This workshop gave the participants a practical know-how on storytelling effectively and everyone had great interests in the subject. During the training, the participants practiced the activities on their own under the guidance of Ms. Corlett which was of great a learning experience for everyone!

 

 

The Chairperson of ECOTA, Mr. Swapan Kumar Das presented shields to the organizers as token of appreciation, moreover Certificates of participation were distributed among the participants.

 

 

 

 

B. Training Workshop on Costing & Pricing:

 

In April 2019, a workshop on product costing and pricing was organized at Dipshikha Conference room in TARANGO. This workshop provided participants with an insight into the importance of proper costing and pricing systems for every entrepreneur, and the impact of good costing and pricing on the financial successes of the business.

 

19 staff members from ECOTA’s member organizations attended the workshop. It was facilitated by Mr. U thein Maung, Financial Director of Tarango and Treasurer of ECOTA and Mr. Feroz Hasan, Manager – Internal Audit of Prokritee.

 

​Mr. U thein Maung presented shields to the organizers as token of appreciation and distributed Certificates of Participation to the participants.

 

 

SUPPORT SERVICE

 

The Program Manager visited the factory setups of Creation Pvt Ltd in Narshingdi for helping the organization to be able to fill out its self-assessment report for WFTO Global membership; specifically,

• The PM helped in preparing its employment policy
• Fire and safety policy,
• Non-discrimination policy for the gender
• Women’s rights policy
• Freedom of association
• Salary, wage & others benefit policies
• Factory code of conducts
• Chemical safety measures policy
• Policy of environmental requirements, and
• Policy of social responsibilities.

 

 

New Member  of ECOTA

 

ECOTA assisted in assessing applications for membership of some new applicant organizations during this year.  With direct involvement and assistance of the honorable Executive Committee members, the Secretariat completed required verifications and visits of the new applicants in order to be able to provide associate membership to the following 4 (four) new organizations:

• Asix
• Jutemart
• Artefact, and
• Tripty Boutique.

 

CBI Export Coaching Project - Handmade Home Decoration and Home Textiles (HDHT):

Dr. Hugo Verhoeven, Senior Programme Manager and Ms. Tushar Kona Khandker, Country Head of CBI met with the EC members of ECOTA at Prokritee office in April 2019 and discussed about the upcoming HDHT projects and mentioned that ECOTA would be selected as one of their Business Support Organization (BSO) in Bangladesh.

 

Meeting with iDE

Mr. Swapan Kumar Das, the Chairperson and Mr. U Thein Maung, Treasurer met with Deputy Country Director and their team to involve iDE’s WEESMS projects/partners in Gulshan, Dhaka.  This would help ECOTA to promote 10,000 women artisans to be coming under fair trade possibly in the near future.

MARKET FACILITATION/ LINKAGE

 

During this fiscal year ECOTA disseminated various buyers’ information/requirements  to its members organizations, namely:

 

1. Megan McGeough Lefebvre, Canada
2. ABLE, USA.
3. kristy dunn 

 

 

Asia Fair Trade Summit 2018 at Kathmandu:

 

 

 

ECOTA’s Chairperson Mr. Swapan Kumar Das was elected as the Vice President on WFTO-Asia EC Board.

NOREC (FK Norway Exchange) Program:

 

This Exchange Program to undertake a partnership with FTG Nepal aiming to exchange views and gather knowledge from each other will financially be supported by NOREC, Norway. As a Lead partner, FTGN took the lead and submitted all required documents to NOREC.  A partnership agreement was signed between FTG Nepal and EFTF Bangladesh and it was duly approved by FK Norway/NOREC.

 

 

A partners training was held in Kathmandu in June 2019

There was a good opportunity to meet the representatives from various partner organizations and companies to share their best practices, discuss on dilemmas and challenges, and build networks for future sharing of experiences of exchanges. In order to gain knowledge about the FK Norway project cycles, the support offered and commitments needed in a NOREC international exchange project, NOREC organized this training with representatives of all partners in the partnership. The training held in Kathmandu during the period June 18-  22, 2019. Mr. Swapan Kumar Das, Chairperson and Mr. Md. Nuruzzaman, Program Manager, attended the training there and exercised project results with FTG Nepal. The training introduced participants to the NOREC partnership model, and covered program issues such as project management, budgeting and reporting system and routines. They included various subjects relating to leadership, mentoring and intercultural communication, and topics connected to the Global Goals.

 

She Trades in the Commonwealth project

        

ECOTA Fair Trade Forum and its members participated The  SheTrades in The Commonwealth program.  The event was organized for project stakeholders on 18th July 2018 and also there was a competitiveness workshop on 19th July 2018 at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka, Bangladesh.

On 25^th April, 2019 the Program Manager and Chairperson attended a workshop of SheTrades at SME Foundation. On 27^th and 28^th April the Program Manager attended a workshop on Inclusive Service Portfolio Design for BSOs at Westin as organized by SheTrades

Year - 2018

World Fair Trade Day 2018

ECOTA celebrated the World Fair Trade Day 2018 along with its member organizations on 13^th  May, 2018  at the premises of CORR The Jute Works located at Gulshan, Dhaka with  discussions, cultural activities and fair trade snacks and launch.

 

 

 “Live fair, one product at a time’ is our World Fair Trade Day 2018 (WFTDay 2018) theme and celebration message to the global consumers.  The opening address was given by Ms. Bertha Gity Baroi, a member of ECOTA EC Board and director of CJW..  In this meeting, Mr. U Thein Maung, Treasurer of ECOTA, Mr. Shah Abdus Salam,  Vice chairperson of ECOTA EC Board, , Mr Monjurul Haque, director  of  Artisan Hut , Mr. Bimal Banik Managing Partner Swajan Crafts and   conclude the  discussion  chief coordinator of NRDS Mr. Abdul Awal  delivered their kind speeches on Fair Trade and showed their kind commitments to carry forward this movement in the future.

 

 

 

The event’s photographs and videos were also published on social medias, like, Youtube, Facebook, Tweeter which were shared among the members, supporters, friends and partners immediately.

 

 

 

 

International Women’s Day campain-2018

ECOTA celebrated and campaign International Women’s Day on 8^th march 2018 with member organizations at Jute Products Fair.                                                              

Celebrated Fashion Revolution Week – 2018

 

ECOTA Fair Trade Forum and Fashion Revolution Bangladesh celebrated “Fashion Revolution Week 2018”  in association with Aranya crafts Ltd. and organized a Bangladesh Ethical Fair at the premises  of BENGAL BOI ,1/3 Block D, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh  from 24 to 27^Th April 2018 to raise awareness of # whomademyclothes and to advocate fair consumption. Also arranged two special documentary films “The true cost & River Blue” are   screened on the occasion.  

                                              

Total # of 13  organizations were participated  in the Bangladesh Ethical Fair:
Aranya Crafts Ltd; Artisan Hut; BCraft Initiatives; CORR - The Jute Works; DEW Crafts ; Friendship ; Hand Touch ; JOTHASHILPA ; Khut Art ; Living Blue; MIB Spirit; OPARAJEO and Thanapara Swallows DS. During 4 days approximate 5000 visitors visited in the Bangladesh Ethical Fair.

 

 

Capacity Building Training & workshop

 

 Training Workshop on Occupational Health & Safety:

 

Training workshop on Occupational Health & Safety  was held at CORR THE JUTE WORKS Conference room. The event was organized by ECOTA Fair Trade Forum in Collaboration with People Tree Foundation. 18 staff persons from ECOTA’s member organizations attended the training workshop. Participants expressed their positive feedback that they would make contributions at their workplaces by using gathered knowledge.

​ ​ To conclude the workshop Director of CORR-The Jute Works and EC member of ECOTA FTF, Ms. Bertha Gity  Baroi presented shields to the organizers as token of appreciation, moreover Certificates of Participation were distributed among the participants

 

 

 

SUPPORT SERVICE

 

New Member  of ECOTA

ECOTA processed  applications for its membership during the year.  Secretariat & EC Members visited to organizations to observe their organizational status according to Fair Trade Standards that they are practicing and helped to prepare other documents.

 

Awarded as  associate member of ECOTA

 

1. Devtech Associates Bangladesh

Contact : Mr. Patriar Jonson Gomes, Director

House # 5, Road # 2

Block- A/1, Khilbarir Tak,

Badda, Dhaka-1212

 

2. Golden Jute Product

Contact : Hakim Ali Sardar, Proprietor

118,South Doriapur, Savar,

Dhaka-1340, Bangladesh

,

3. Shafiqul Islam & Co

 Contact : Mr. Shafiqul Islam, Proprietor

 Plot # 01, Road# 12, Lane # 9,

Block –B , Section -11

Mirpur, Dhaka 

 

4. New Keya Crafts

Contact: John Tony Bala, Proprietor

135/2, North Rajashon,

Savar , Dhaka

 

5. Jothashilpa

Contact: Mr. Shawon Akand, Director,

Ground Floor, House # 819,Road#5,

Baitul Aman Housing Society,

Adabar, Dhaka 

 

6. Artefact

Contact : Ms. Shohelee Nazneen (Ruba), Proprietor 

House 674, 4^th Floor, Road 09,

Mirpur DOHS, Dhaka

7. aSix

Contact : Ms. Afsana Asif, Managing Partner

House # 311 (3rd Floor),

Lane#4 , Baridhara DOHS,

Dhaka – 1212, Bangladesh

 

 

Discussion meeting with Executive Director of WFTO Asia:

Date meeting held:  November 23, 2017 Thursday

Time / duration meeting held: 3:55 pm to 5:25 pm

Place meeting held: EFTF Secretariat, 19 A/18/1, Fifth Floor, Tikkapara, Mohammadpur, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh

Members Attended:

Mr. Swapan Kumar Das, Executive Director Prokritee, Mr. ShahidHussainShamin, Vic-Chairperson Ecota, Mr. U TheinMaung, Director TARANGO, Ms. Bertha GityBaroi, Director Core-The Jute Works, Ms. Tanu Dey, Director (CEO) Dhaka Handicrafts Limited, Mr. Md. MonjurulHaque, Director Artisan Hut, Ms. Shahnaz Parveen, Manager Export BRAC-Arong, Ms. Bertha GityBaroi, Director CORR-The Jute Works, and Luther Das, Executive Director, WFTO-Asia.

                                   

Mr. Swapan Kumar Das, Chairperson of  ECOTA and Executive Director Prokritee convener of the meeting chaired the meeting. He extended greetings to Luther Das, Executive Director, WFTO-Asia on behalf of Ecota. He welcomed members present and opened the meeting.

 

1  Discussion over Ten Principles: Minimum Wage determination;  Child Labor

2. Peer visits: Method of assessment ;Suggestion on method of assessment

3. Monitoring Audit and audit report : Auditing: effective auditing; suggestion for effective auditing; Audit report preparation and delivery

4.  Gender Development and Gender Manual:

5. Needs of Ecota members:  Documentation ; Record keeping;Bookkeeping;  Photography ; Newsletter;English language skills ; Organizational Development

 Membership recruitment;  Capacity building;  Research initiatives ; Local display centers ;Effective Communication between country network and WFTO-Asia  

 

Discussion Meeting with CBI

 

EC Member and Ecota’s Members Meeting with CBI consultant Mr. Tom Willems and Local Expert Mrs. Tushar Kona khondakar that held today at 05^th May 2018 ECOTA  Secretariat on Fast Nahar, 5th Floor, Flat # 5A, House # 19-A/18/1, Block F, Tikkapara, Ring Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka 1207

 

Meeting with PROKAS and submitted Concept Note for an exposure visit under partnership between ECOTA and PROKAS.

 

December 10, 2017: We (Mr. U Thein Maung, Chairperson Mr. Swapan kumar Das , Ms Kohinoor- ED of Tarango and Mr. Emdad from Katalyst ) met with Md. Shawkat Ali Waresi, Deputy Team Leader, PROKAS at PROKAS Secretariat at Baridhara. Mr. Chairperson pretended ECOTA’s status, members and situation of fair trade movement in Bangladesh.Mr. Waresi commented that promotion of fair trade is match PROKAS program . So ECOTA will submit a concept note to PROKAS an exposure visit (Learning best experience from others) under partnership between ECOTA and PROKAS.

 

 

MARKET FACILITATION/ LINKAGE

 

During the course time ECOTA disseminated various buyers’ information/ requirements  to its members organization:

 

1. Megan McGeough Lefebvre  , Canada
2. ABLE, USA.
3. kristy dunn 

 

Bangladesh: WFTO Guaranteed Members

 Shishu polli Plus, Saidpur Enterprises and Oasis Transformation Ltd  got the recognition from the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO)as a Guaranteed fair trade organization. Brac-Aarong , Aranya crafts ltd, Dhaka Handicrafts Limited, Artisan Hut, TARANGO are underway

 

 

FK Norway Exchange Program:

ECOTA is going to partnership with FTG Nepal aiming to exchange views and gather knowledge from each other supported by FK Norway. AS a Lead partner , FTGN submitted Feasibility study  and approved by FK Norway .

Partner meetings with Fair Trade Group Nepal  

•  
• ECOTA  Organized  partner meeting with FTG Nepal at ECOTA office on 17^th Sept 2017  through participation of Mr. Chitra Bahadur KC President of FTG Nepal, EC Members of ECOTA and participants   member organizations to develop the project idea, prepare an overall project plan, and an application for a collaboration agreement,  FTGN  visited Visited CORR the Jute works and Aarong  on 18^th September.

 

Annual General Meeting and EC Meetings

 

The AGM 2017, this took place at the CBCB Center located at 24/C Asad Avenue, Mohammedpur , Dhaka-1207 on January 31, 2018. Members elected new Executive Committee for the Year 2017-2019All the meetings took place in the ECOTA office. Important recurrent issues on the agenda of the Executive Body were the development of the secretariat of the organization, the promotion of the fair trade issue by promoting the number of members of the network.

 

Year - 2017

FAIR TRADE PROMOTION

World Fair Trade Day  2017

ECOTA celebrated the World Fair Trade Day 2017 on 13 th May, 2017  at premises of Shishu Polli Plus located at Tengra, Shreepur , Gazipur. Bangladesh. Forming Human Chain, Discussions, Cultural Activities and Fair trade snacks and launch.

The theme of the day was, “Be an agent for change”. The Human Chain and Fair Trade Discussion were hosted by the people from all corners, including the producers, consumers, fair-trade supporters in Bangladesh.  The opening address was given by Mr. Swapan Kumar Das, the honorable Chairperson of ECOTA Fair Trade forum.  In this meeting,  ECOTA EC Board and  Fair Trade Producers delivered their kind speeches on Fair Trade and showed their kind commitments to carry forward this movement in the future.

  

The event’s photographs and videos were also published on social medias, like, Youtube, Facebook, Tweeter which were shared among the members, supporters, friends and partners immediately.

 

International Women’s Day campain-  2017

ECOTA celebrated International Women’s Day on 8^th march 2017 with member organizations..

1) 

Capacity Building Training & workshop

 

The year 2016-17 was very Significant for EFTF, ECOTA has offered more programmatic activities for the members.

 

A. Workshop on Efficient Export & Social Media Marketing:

The duration of the training was day long from 09:00 am to 5:00 am. Total 14 participants from member organizations attended this training. Day long different topics and session were Workshop conducted by Jackie Johnson Corlett, Managing Director of Motif Ltd.. The participation from participants was very enthusiastic and learning thrust. Mr U Thein Maung, director of TARANGO actively harmonized the full session and distributed certificate to the participants.

 

 

B. Workshop on Importance of Design :

 

ECOTA facilitated  CBI’s   workshop on 29^th October 2016 at Prokritee Headquarter conducted by Remco Kemper and Tushar Kona Khandker

 

 

 

sC.   Training Workshop on FIRST AID:

November 10-11, 2017. Training workshop on First Aid was held at CORR THE JUTE WORKS Conference room. The event was organized by ECOTA Fair Trade Forum in Collaboration with People Tree Foundation.  21 staff persons from ECOTA’s member organizations  attended the training workshop.

The presentation featured games, drawings, animations and videos to maintain the interest of the participants. The workshop included the practical application of CPR, performed on dummy for adult  and for infants dummy , which gave the participants a practical know-how and was of great interest for everyone. During the training, the participants were made to perform the activities on there own, with the guidance of organizers which was of great a learning experience!

​To conclude the workshop Director of Artisan Hut and EC member of ECOTA FTF, Mr. Monju Haque presented shields to the organizers as token of appreciation, moreover Certificates of Participation were distributed among the participants

D. Training Workshop on Occupational Health & Safety:

November 17-19, 2017. Training workshop on Occupational Health & Safety  was held at CORR THE JUTE WORKS Conference room. The event was organized by ECOTA Fair Trade Forum in Collaboration with People Tree Foundation. 18 staff persons from ECOTA’s member organizations attended the training workshop. Participants expressed their positive feedback that they would make contributions at their workplaces by using gathered knowledge.

​ To conclude the workshop Director of CORR-The Jute Works and EC member of ECOTA FTF, Ms. Bertha Gity  Baroi presented shields to the organizers as token of appreciation, moreover Certificates of Participation were distributed among the participants

SUPPORT SERVICE

Visiting New applicant  for helping in SAR filling out and prepare other documents:

Visited Grameen Telecom Trust, Hand Touch, Shohojogita, Jute Mart   at their office. They have applied for ECOTA Membership with SAR, Audit report and supporting documents

Saidpur Enterprises: ECOTA supported them products photo shoot, install new web site and produced  products catalog 

Artisan Hut : ECOTA supported them products photo shoot and produced  products catalog 

 Peer visit to TARANGO:

Visited TARANGO’s Head office and  production center at Kadam Bari,Poysarhat, Agouljhora, Barishal  on 27^th  Feb to 1^st March  as a part of peer visit. I met with staffs and producers to assess according to fair-trade principles and contact with WFTO. I prepared a peer visit report and sent to WFT

Scoping Study study in Fair Trade commodity in Bangladesh with Traidcraft India:

ECOTAworked with Mr. Debasis Mahapatra, Supply chain specialist from Traidcraft India. They need a person to help scoping study in Fair Trade commodity in Bangladesh. Bangladesh through  9 Days (9^th feb to 17 Feb) conducting field visits in several Location to discuss with farmers, traders, processors, Fair Trade Organization , policy makers, NGOs, research institutes and relevant stakeholders. Study Findings Validation Workshop hold on 26^th February at the Conference room of NGO Forum.  Traidcraft conducted study on behalf of of Network of Asia and Pacific Producers private limited (NAPP).

 

Wage Interview of producer with People Tree UK:

ECOTA’s Program Manager worked with Ruth Valiant Technical and Development Manager of People Tree UKFor three days ( 5, 7 & 11 March) for wage interviewof their producers . They visitedArtisan hut, DeveTech Associate and Kumudini Handicrafts.                             

Discussion meeting with Executive Director of Fair Trade Forum India:

13th June 2017 at secretariat of ECOTA Fair Trade Forum, Ms. Meenu Chopra, executive director of Fair Trade Forum- India met with the ECOTA members discussed on 14th WFTO Biennial Conference update, prospective scholarship and sponsorship issues. Mr. Swapan Kumar Das chairperson of ECOTA Fair Trade Forum presided the meeting

 

MARKET FACILITATION/ LINKAGE

ECOTA arranged business meeting with Jean-Baptiste ASTAU Project Manager, co-funder of Bhallot , France. Now Bhallot is doing business with our members. ECOTA supported Bhallot personnel for their logistic and accommodation.

 

New Member of ECOTA

Awarded as an associate member of ECOTA

1. Hand Touch

Mr. Mohammad Ali Khan

Proprietor

House # 560, Road # 8,

Baitul Aman Housing Society,

Adabor, Dhaka-1207
 

2. Shohojogita

Kamal John Gomes

Proprietor

14/1 Borobag,

Mirpur-2, Dhaka-1216

 

Bangladesh: WFTO Guaranteed Members

Classical Handmade Products and Shishu polli Plus  got the recognition from the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO)as a Guaranteed fair trade organization. Brac-Aarong , Aranya crafts ltd, Dhaka Handicrafts Limited, Saidpur Enterprises, Oasis Transformation Limited , Artisan Hut, TARANGO are underway.

 

FK Norway Exchange Program:

ECOTA is going to partnership with FTG Nepal aiming to exchange views and gather knowledge from each other supported by FK Norway. AS a Lead partner , FTGN submitted Feasibility study on 30^th march 2017 and approved by FK Norway on 30^th June 2017.

• FK introduction seminar In order to gain knowledge about the FK Norway project cycle, the support offered and commitments needed in an FK Norway international exchange project, FK Norway will organise a seminar with representatives of all partners in the partnership. The time and location of such a seminar is Bangkok 10-  12 August 2017. An invitation wi ll be sent to the partners regarding this seminar. If the partners are unable to attend this event, the time and location for next seminar will be advised by FK Norway.
• Partner meetings In order to develop the project idea, prepare an overall project plan, and an application for a collaboration agreement, FTGN shall visit the other partner , ECOTA. The visit will usually take place after the introduction seminar.
• Budget The maximum budget frame for the grant for the feasibility study is USD 4 728
• FTGN is the budget holder under the feasibility study agreement, and is responsible for financial management of the grant and reporting back to FK Norway.

 

FK introduction seminar & workshop 10-12 August 2017 in   Bangkok

Participants from  ECOTA:

1.  Md. Monjurul Haque, EC member of ECOTA & Director of Artisan Hut
2. Md. Nuruzzaman, Program Manager , ECOTA

The workshop greatly expanded our understanding of mindfulness and gave us great understanding of how it can be used & taught to develop and planning FK  project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year - 2016

FAIR TRADE PROMOTION

World Fair Trade Day  2016

ECOTA Fair Trade Forum celebrated the World Fair Trade Day 2016 on 14 th May, 2016  at premises of Jatra Bangladesh 60, Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Banani, Dhaka-1213.  There were events of Human Chain, Fair Trade Discussion, presentation of gambhira, a traditional drama with songs on 10 principles of Fair Trade and a Fair Trade handicraft Fair and Artisan’s photos with their activities were the exhibited.

The theme of the day was, “Be an agent for change”. The Human Chain and Fair Trade Discussion were hosted by the people from all corners, including the producers, consumers, fair-trade supporters in Bangladesh.  The Chief Executive Officer (Additional Secretary), Dhaka North City Corporation,​ Mr. Md. Mesbahul Islam  was the chief guest in the event who has kindly opened the day, participated in the Human Chain  and enriched everyone by his remarking speech of fair trade.  The opening address was given by Mr. Swapan Kumar Das, the honorable Chairperson of ECOTA Fair Trade forum.  In this meeting, Mr. U Thein Maung, Treasurer of ECOTA, Mr. Shah Abdus Salam, a member of ECOTA EC Board, Mr.Shahid Hussain Shamim, Vice Chairperson of ECOTA, Ms. Bertha Gity Baroi, a member of ECOTA EC Board, Mr Monjurul Haque, a member of ECOTA EC Board and  Fair Trade Producers delivered their kind speeches on Fair Trade and showed their kind commitments to carry forward this movement in the future.

The Independent published a special feature on Fair Trade on 14th of May, 2016 and Sampratik Deshkal on 13th may.  The event’s photographs and videos were also published on social medias, like, Youtube, Facebook, Tweeter which were shared among the members, supporters, friends and partners immediately.

International Women’s Day  2016

ECOTA and Polle Unanyan Prokolpo celebrated International Women’s Day with march and rally in Bogra on 8^th march 2016.

Capacity Building Training & workshop

First Aid Training: The duration of the training was two days daily from 09:00 am to 5:00 am. Total 16 participants from member organizations attended this training on 04-05 December 2016.All the two days different topics and session were held by facilitator of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Ms. Sabina Yasmin & Faruk Iqbal Polu. The participation from participants was very enthusiastic and learning thrust. Ms. Bertha Gity Baroi, director of CJW actively harmonized the full session and distributed certificate to the participants.

b) Workshop on Introduction to Fair Trade : ECOTA facilitated  CBI’s   workshop on 04-05 November 2015 at ECOTA office conducted by Remco Kemper and Tushar Kona Khandker

c)  Fair Trade Workshop: ECOTA and WFTO-Asia hosted organized day long workshop on 3^rd   march 2016 at ECOTA office  to introduction and overview of Fair Trade, WFTO and ECOTA facilitated by Elise Hawley, Sustainability Coordinator of WFTO -Asia and Nuruzzaman , Program Manager of ECOTA.

d) Fair Trade’s Finest Workshop ‘Fair Trade in Action’: ECOTA facilitated CBI’s   workshop on 13-14 April 2016  at Prokritee Conference room conducted by Remco Kemper and Tushar Kona Khandker

e) Workshop on " 7 Basics for building Great Product Displays : ECOTA Fair Trade Forum organized Workshop on " 7 Basics for building Great Product Displays ' on 9th June 2016. Workshop conducted by Jackie Johnson Corlett, Managing Director of Motif Ltd. Total 16 participants from member organizations attended this training.

SUPPORT SERVICE

Mr. Nuruzzaman, Program manager of ECOTA & Elise Hawley, Sustainability Coordinator of WFTO –Asia visited the organizations and provided  to active support to  members and provisional organizations of WFTO  in completing the SAR to submit WFTO.

The organizations are;

1. Artisan Hut
2. Tarango
3. Oasis Transformation Ltd
4. Usaha Handicrafts
5. Saidpur Enterprises
6. Classical Handmade Products
7. Pollee Unnyon Prokolpo-PUP

 

MARKET FACILITATION/ LINKAGE

During the course time ECOTA disseminated various buyers’ information/ requirements  to its members organization:

1. WOOL AND THE GANG , UK
2. GHTO PTY LTD, Australia.
3. Howorka Werbeartikel GmbH, Austria
4.  Monochrome Vestimentum LLC, USA
5. Coco Flamingo , UK

ECOTA arranged discussion meeting with Diego Robles Vice President of Production Monochrome Vestimentum LLC, USA at ECOTA office and developed relation with Artisan Hut.

 

New Applicants of ECOTA

ECOTA received 06 applications for its membership during the year and processing of membership underway. The applicant’s organizations are;

1. Hand Touch
2. Intend BD Crafts
3. SHOHOJOGITA
4. San Trade Limited
5. AJIYER Fair Trade Tourism
6.  Bangladesh DevTech Assoiates

 

Awarded General Membership

Saidpur Enterprises and Basha Enterprises Ltd, Gandhi Ashram Trust, Jatra Bangladesh Ltd and classical Handmade Products BD as General Members of ECOTA Fair Trade Forum. 

 

Bangladesh: WFTO Guaranteed Members

The WFTO certifies organizations operating in any part of the supply chain -- from producers to retailers. An entity needs to respect the international fair trade standards to be recognized as a guaranteed fair trade organization. With the fair trade label, consumers will be able to identify products in the international marketplace that meet high economic, social and environmental sustainability criteria. Now, more than 50 Fair Trade Organizations are already guaranteed and can use the WFTO label in over 70 different countries. Six Bangladeshi handicraft producers and organizations have been certified as “guaranteed fair trade organizations” for meeting the growing demand for ethical and sustainable products. Thanapara Swallows, Prokritee, CORR The Jute Works, Hathay Bunano, Base Bangladesh and DEW Crafts got the recognition from the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). Brac-Aarong , Aranya crafts ltd, Dhaka Handicrafts Limited, Saidpur Enterprises, Oasis Transformation Limited , Artisan Hut, TARANGO, Classical Handmade Products and Shishu polli Plus  are underway.

Annual General and Executive Committee Meetings

The AGM 2015, this took place at the ECOTA Conference room, on October 16, 2015. 25 Members participated in the AGM. Members elected new Executive Committee for the Year 2015-2017

The executive Board of EFTF met five times during the year 2015-2016. All the meetings took place in the ECOTA office. Important recurrent issues on the agenda of the Executive Body were the development of the secretariat of the organization, the promotion of the fair trade issue by promoting the number of members of the network.

 

ECOTA FORUM ON MEDIA

 

December 14,2015

Published article “Fair Trade: Thoughts From the Field” in The Artesan Gateway

Link : http://theartesangateway.org/2015/12/14/fair-trade-thoughts-from-the-field/

 

May 13, 2016

Published Feature “ফেয়ার ট্রেড পরিবর্তনের বাহক” in Sampratik Deshkal

Link: http://archive.shampratikdeshkal.com/industry-trade/2016/05/13/24138

 

May 14, 2016

Published Feature “World Fair Trade Day to be celebrated today” in the independent.

Link: http://www.eindependentbd.com/home/displaypage/news_2016-05-14_10_18_b

 

youtube

• Voice of Fair Trade Producer: https://youtu.be/OaLvPG7KS3w

Year - 2015

• ECOTA Fair Trade Forum celebrated the World Fair Trade Day 2015 on 9th May, 2015 at Jagaroni Center of CJW located at House No. 1, Holy Cross Road, Tejgaon, Dhaka.  There were events of Fair Trade Rally, Fair Trade Talks, presentation of gambhira (a traditional drama with songs on 10 principles of Fair Trade) and a Fair Trade handicraft Fair.  The theme of the day was, “Be an agent for change”. The rally and fair trade talks were hosted by the people from all corners: including the producers, consumers, fair-trade supporters, and the young fair-trade volunteers/campaigners in Bangladesh.  Fr. Richard William Timm, CSC was the chief guest of the event who has kindly opened the day, participated in the rally, and enriched everyone by explaining the history of fair trade in Bangladesh.  The opening address was given by Ms. Bertha Gity Baroi, the honorable Chairperson of ECOTA Fair Trade forum.  In this meeting, Mr. U Thein Maung, Treasurer of ECOTA, Mr. Shah Abdus Salam, a member of ECOTA EC Board, Mr. Swapan Kumar Das, Vice Chairperson of ECOTA and Convener of the Fair Trade Day Celebration Committee, Sister Mary Lillian (SMRA), honorable lifetime board member of CORR - The Jute Works and a number of Fair Trade Actors delivered their kind speeches on Fair Trade and showed their kind commitments to carry forward this movement in the future.
• Seminar on ‘Fair Trade in the next decade – where do we want to reach: CJW celebrated its 40th Anniversary on September 5 and organized a seminar. Chairperson of ECOTA fair Trade Forum Mr. Abdul Awal presented Keynote on “Fair Trade to Build Sustainable Future” The leaders from WFTO and WFTO Asia had present at the events. Session Chair by Chitra Bahadur KC President - WFTO Asia Panel discussion -Vi Cottrell – Trade aid Inc. Dr. Siddikur Rahman ,Jahangirnagar University Christine Gent, Executive Director - WFTO Asia
• The year 2014-15 was very significant for us, ECOTA has organized more programmatic activities for its members

  Particulars	Number of participants	Facilated by
  First Aid ( 2 Batches)	46	Bangladesh Red Crescent Society
  WFTO Guarantee System (GS)	18	Ms. Christine Gent, ED, WFTO Asia
  The 5 Steps to Clear Business Communication with Foreigners	14	Ms. Jackie Corlett, Managing Director of MOTIF Ltd
  Products Quality Maintenance System	12	Ms. Bertha Gity Baroi, Mr. U Thein Maung and Mr. Shahid Hussain Shamim
  Practical session on SAR-Self Assessment Report and IMS	17	Christine Gent, ED, WFTO Asia
  Training on WFTO GS for NEW applicants and provisional	19	Christine Gent, ED, WFTO Asia

  World Fair Trade Organization  ASIA Conference2014” Seoul, Korea"

  Seven Fair Trade Organization from Bangladesh Attended the conference, were as Development Wheel , CORR The  Jute Works, Thanapara Swallows, Oasis Transformation Ltd, Hathay Bunano Proshikon Society , Bangladesh Hosto Shilpo Ekota Sheba Songshta (BaSE) and ECOTA Fair Trade Forum Nuruzzaman , Program Manager  was delighted to attend in WFTO Asia Seoul Conference 2014 followed by the AGM where a bunch of Fair Trade members met together to share their experience with each other.

• During the course time ECOTA disseminated various buyers’ information/ requirements  to its members organization:

  1. Katherine Tramposh, Owner/Creative Director, KATE by Katherine Tramposh, Rue Louis, Boulogne-Billancourt, France

  2. Katie Schmidt, Chief Creative Officer, Passion Lilie, New Orleans, USA

  3. FRANZ HOWORKA GMBH & CO KG, Tandelmarktgasse 15 A1020 Vienna, Austria

  4. THREE PANS Co.Ltd, 2-3-22 Kita Aoiku Shizuoka, Japan

  5. K. Sultana, Baltimore, MD, USA

  6. Benjamin Rosa, Stockholm, Sweden

  7.  United Nations Volunteers IDB Bhaban [14th floor], Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Agargaon, Dhaka

• New Members of ECOTA

  ECOTA received 06 applications for its membership during the year and assessed all applicants organization accordingly and awarded the under mentioned organization

1. Jatra Bangladesh Limited

2. :Basha Enterprises Limited

3. Classical Handmade Products BD

• The ECOTA Fair Trade Forum membership Subscription fee has often been an issue of great attention and lively discussions on the agenda of ECOTA Annual General Meetings. After a lot of discussions the house has approved the following fee structure to take effect from January 1, 2015

Cluster	Sales turn over in BDT	Membership Fee                    BDT
Group 1	100 Lac below	5000
Group 1	100 Lac - 200 lac	10000
Group 1	200  Lac above	15000

• ECOTA took initiative to promote its activities and communicate with media people. The Independent published a special feature on Fair Trade on 8th of May, 2015 and follow-up reporting on this subject on 11th May. Dhaka Credit News covered WFTD programs and published a feature too on 10th May, 2015 with some meaningful photographs of the event. The Dhaka Tribune published a special feature with some colorful photographs on this day.  The event’s photographs and videos were also published on social medias, like, Youtube, Facebook, Tweeter which were shared among the members, supporters, friends and partners immediately

Year - 2014

The Annual General Meeting for the year 2013 of ECOTA Fair Trade Ltd. was held at ECOTA Office; house No. 6/4 A, Sir Sayed Ahmed Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka-1207 on the 1^st of February 2014, Saturday at 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm.

The Chairperson, Mr. Shah Abdus Salam announced the formal instigation of the meeting. The Chair expressed his earnest thankfulness to the Executive Board and all the respective members for the cooperation in this regard. The Chair announced, out of 37 members, 20 members represented the AGM 2013. 

AGM have approved the annual report and financial report for the last financial year along with the future strategic direction of EFTF. The meeting elected a new Executive Board for the year 2013-2015 as follows;

SL No.	Name of the Member	Designation	Organization
1.	Abdul Awal	Chairperson	NRDS
2.	Bertha Gity Baroi	Vice Chairperson	CORR The Jute Works
3.	U. Thein Maung	Treasurer	TARANGO
4.	Shah Abdus Salam	Member	Development Wheel
5.	Swapan Kumar Das	Member	Prokritee
6.	Raihan Ali	Member	Thanapara Swallows Development Society
7.	Shahid. Hussain Shamim	Member	Motif Ltd.
8.	ABM Ruhul Quddus Shahnewaj	Member	Jahanara Cottage Industries

Year - 2013

• Under the FK-Norway Project ECOTA hosted the Partnership Meeting (Mid Term Review Meeting of Phase V) that was being held on January 15-16, 2013 ECOTA Office, 6/4A, Sir Syed Ahmed Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka-1207. The respected delegates, Mr. Chitra Bahadur KC, President, WFTO Asia Board, Ms. Catherine Wilczek, Program Advisor, FK Regional Office Bangkok, Mr. O. P. Yadav, Director, Fair Trade Forum India, Mr. Ghanshyam Shrestha, Executive Director, Fair Trade Group, Nepal, and Mr. Shah Abdus Salam, Chairperson, ECOTA Fair Trade Forum had joined the Partnership Meeting. The meeting covered Mid-project Review and Reflection.
• Mr. Chitra Bahadur KC, The President of WFTO Asia Board, showed his kind approval to accept the invitation of ECOTA Fair Trade Forum Bangladesh. ECOTA was auspicious to have the President, WFTO Asia Board from January 15-17, 2013.  During visit Bangladesh, the Respected President, Mr. Chitra Bahadur joined the Mid Term Review Meeting, Phase V of “South-South Exchange Programme” Funded by Fredskorpset Norway.  He also showed his kind consent to share some moments with the Executive Committee and Member Organization of ECOTA. The President, WFTO Asia Board met with the Executive Committee Members- Mr. Shah Abdus Salam, Chairperson, Ms. Bertha Gity Baroi, Vice Chairperson, Mr. U Thein Maung, Treasure, Ms. Tanu Dey, Ms. Shahnaj Parveen and Mr. Subrata Saha Members and the Representatives of Member Organizations of ECOTA on January 17, 2013 at ECOTA Office. Mr. Shah Abdus Salam, Chairperson, ECOTA facilitated the sharing meeting.
• ECOTA arranged the Annual General Meeting 2012 that was held on 2^nd February of 2013 at ECOTA Office. The Chairperson presided the meeting. All the respective Member Organizations of ECOTA were present on that meeting and contribute their valuable comments and opinions. 

• The meeting on Fair Wage Standardization was held at ECOTA Secretariat at house No. 6/4 A, Sir Sayed Ahmed Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka-1207 on the 20^th April of 2013 at 10.00 am. Ms. Tanu Dey, the Chair of the respective committee announced the formal instigation of the Fair Wage meeting. Ms Dey welcomed to all the participants for joining the meeting. The Executive Committee members Ms. Bertha Gity Baroi, Vice Chair Person, Mr. U Thein Maung, Treasurer, Mr. Monjurul Haque, Member, Mr. Subrata Saha, Member and all the respective delegates of Member Organizations were present.

• ECOTA Fair Trade Forum as a national networking body of Fair Trade Organizations observed the World Fair Trade Day 2013 through launching a seminar on Saturday, 11 May, 2012 at 12:00pm at St. Joseph School & College, 97 Asad Avenue, Mohammedpur, Dhaka-1207. Theme of the World Fair Trade Day 2013: “Strengthening Fair Trade Relationships”.

  Mr. Shah Abdus Salam, Chairperson, ‘ECOTA Fair Trade Forum’ announced the formal instigation of the seminar. The Chairperson welcomed to all the respected guests for joining the World Fair Trade Day. The respected Guests-Dr. Harold B. Rodrigues, Principal, St. Joseph School & College, the Executive Committee members of ‘ECOTA Fair Trade Forum’ Ms. Bertha Gity Baroi, Vice Chair Person, Mr. Monjurul Haque, Member, Ms. Tanu Dey, Member, Mr. Subrata Saha, Member, the respective delegates of Member Organizations of ECOTA, the representative of artisans, producers, entrepreneurs group, the students of St. Joseph School & College and the social thinkers and believers were present on the following day.

  Beginning of the seminar, the Chair requested the entire present guest to express deep solemn for the ‘Savar Tragedy’ and to remain ‘One minute Silence’ for the untimely death of thousands of workers of those garments factory that collapsed on last 24^th April of 2013.

  The entire programme was decorated with: Presenting Documentary Movie on ECOTA Fair Trade Forum Activitiesm Power point presentation on “Fair Trade- Bangladesh & Global Perspective”, Arranging a cultural show by presenting a “Drama” on Ten Standards of Fair Trade Principle, performed by the Women Artisans of “CORR The Jute Works” and Displaying eye-catching, ecstatic Fair Trade crafts of the Member Organisations of ECOTA.

• WFTO Global Conference 2013 held at Rio, Brazil from May 25-31^st 2013:

  World Fair Trade Organization celebrated the Biennial Conference and as well World Fair Trade Week at Rio de Janeiro from May 25-31^st 2013. Six Fair Trade Organizations from Bangladesh participated the conference, are as DEW, CORR-The Jute Works, Dhaka Handicrafts Ltd., NRDS, Thanapara Swallows and Oasis Transformation Ltd.

• ECOTA Fair Trade Forum has successfully implemented the South-South Exchange Programme project with the support of Fredskorpset- Norway from the year of 2008 through 2013.  In accordance, ECOTA completed its Fifth Phase of the project activities. According to the Fifth Phase, ECOTA selected one participant Mr. Mamun Ur Rashid, ‘Pollee Unnyon Prokolpo’ member organizations of ECOTA to participate the exchange programme. The respective participant received training on ‘Retail Outlet Coordination’ from ‘Fair Trade Forum-India’ Delhi.    ECOTA organized a workshop that held on 13^th of July 2013, Saturday, 9.00 am at ECOTA secretariat, 6/4 A (Ground Floor), Sir Syed Ahmed Road Mohammadpur, Dhaka-1207. The FK participant Mamun Ur Rashid presented his working paper and shared gathered knowledge on ‘Retail Outlet Coordination’ that received from Fair Trade Forum India-Delhi.  ECOTA member organization attended the workhop.

• GIZ Fair 2013- WORLD FAIR TRADE ORGANIZATION ASIA in cooperation with country networks of Fair Trade Organizations in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Nepal and members in China, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam recommends the participation of the following high-profile Asian Fair Trade producers in the FAIR 2013 being organized by Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), state office NRW, in behalf of the government of the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) This cooperation aims to provide opportunities to high-profile Asian Fair Trade enterprises to access the German market and foster long term trade partnerships with companies from the Fair Trade sector in Germany as well as in the Netherlands. The trade fair will take place in Dortmund, Germany from 6-8 September 2013 and study tour from 30 August to 5 September 2013. From Bangladesh three Member Organizations of ECOTA has been finally selected by GIZ Jury Board to join the GIZ Fair 2013- 1. CORR-The Jute Works 2. Development Wheel & 3. TARANGO.

Year - 2012

• ECOTA celebrated The World Fair Trade Day 2012. ECOTA organized a seminar with the students of YWCA School & College in their premise on May 13, 2012 at Dhaka. “I want Fair World; I Support Fair Trade” was the theme of this Celebration Day.
• The FK Norway South-South exchange programme (2011-12) participants had completed their training program and both the participants of Hosting and Sending partners returned to their home countries to perform what they had learnt.
• Under the Fredskorpset-Norway Project, ECOTA arranged a Home Coming Seminar on July 7, 2012 at ECOTA Office. The aim of the seminar was to disseminate and share the gained experiences and knowledge that the participants of ECOTA gathered from Fair Trade Group Nepal, Fair Trade Forum-India on ‘Retail Outlet Coordination’ & ‘Handmade Paper Technology’. The selected participants were ECOTA member organization of Prokritee and SEDS. For the fifth phase of the project period of 2012-13, ECOTA selected one participant, Mamun Ur Rashid of Polli Unnayn Prokolpo to receive training on ‘Retail Outlet Coordination from Fair Trade Forum India, Delhi.
• ECOTA carried out a workshop on “Strategic Planning” with the objective to review existing and prepare a strategic direction of ECOTA and prepare a long-term plan accordingly. The workshop was held on July 14, 2012 at ECOTA office.  All the interested ECOTA family members were present on that workshop and put their invaluable opinions.
• Under the FK-Norway Project, the existing FK- participants Mr. Sajjad Islam, Ms Farida Khatun and the new participant Mr. Mamun Ur Rashid participated the Debriefing and Leadership Training that was held on S.D Avenue Hotel, Bangkok, from 29th of July through 12th of August 2012.
• World Fair Trade Organization Asia accomplished The Biennial Conference of WFTO Asia 2012 with the collaboration of Fair Trade Forum India in charming Bogmallo Beach Resort, Goa, India from 9th through 13th of October 2012. Nine participants of Member Organization of ECOTA joined the conference. WFTO Asia AGM Elected Winner as the Board of Director for the next two years of 2012-14. The Elected Winners are:

1. Mr. Chitra Bahadur KC, President
2. Ms. Mallamma Yalawar, Treasurer, Director
3. Mr. Shah Abdus Salam, Director
4. Mr. Johny Joseph, Asia Representative to WFTO, Director
5. Ms. Roopa Mehta, WFTO Independent Director, Director 

The new ASIA Board has invited 2 Internal Directors to join them:

1. Mr. Joshua Begbie, Secretary, Director (Josh is the Director of Crossroad Foundation for Handicrafts based in Hong Kong)
2. Mr. S.C. Mittal, Director (Mr. Mittal is the Director of Pushpanjali based in Agra, India)

According to the 2012 Outstanding Fair Trade Organization craft category, “CORR-The Jute Works” from Bangladesh achieved “REWARD ASIA” for making Fair Trade work better for the small scale artisans.

• The Executive Committee of ECOTA decided to publish Quarterly E-Newsletter of ECOTA Fair Trade Forum. Mr. Shah Abdus Salam, Chairperson, Ms. Bertha Gity Baroi, Vice Chairperson, Mr. U Thein Maung, Treasurer and Ms. Tanu Dey Member form the Editorial Board.  The e-Newsletter is being published and circulated to all the concerns. Additionally, ECOTA also took initiatives and developed new website named www.eftfbd.org .
• ECOTA took initiative to build up capacity on “Project Development & Management” and Fair Trade related issues for its staff. In this regard ECOTA staff received on the said course which was organized by Bdjobs Training Center. 

• ECOTA with the member organization arranged a Workshop on Living Wages Determination on November 15, 2012 at ECOTA office. Ms. Inge Opten Berg, an expert from Netherlands had shared the knowledge on "Living Wages" with the participants. The Executive Committee of ECOTA took initiative on determining the Fair Wage Policy and formed a Sub-Committee. Ms Tanu Dey is the Chair and Mr. U Thein Maung, Mr. Monjurul Haque, & Ms. Shahnaz Parveen are the Members of the respective Sub-Committee. The Sub-Committee would act for necessary duties and responsibilities concerning the respective issue. 

Year - 2011

• ECOTA hosted and organized the Biennial Conference of WFTO Asia 2010 at BRAC-BCDM from 24-26 of September 2010.
• ECOTA celebrated the World Fair Trade Day 2011 that was held at the Reporters Unity Auditorium Dhaka. The Theme of the World Fair Trade day 2011 was “TRADE FOR PEOPLE – Fair Trade your world”.
• ECOTA under the FK Norway South-South exchange program (2011-12) hosted two participants from Fair Trade Group Nepal who received training on Dye and Print Technology. ECOTA also and send three participants of its member organizations (DEW, SEDS, Prokritee) to Nepal and India to receive training on Retail Outlet Coordination and Handmade Paper Technology.
• ECOTA piloted SFTMS project.
• ECOTA arranged the Annual General Meeting 2011 that was held on 29th of October 2011. This year the Election has formed and the General Body of ECOTA elected the Present Executive Committee Members for the year 2011-13. 

Year - 2010

• ECOTA hosted and organized the Biennial Conference of WFTO Asia 2010 at BRAC-BCDM from 24-26 of September 2010.
• ECOTA celebrated the World Fair Trade Day 2011 that was held at the Reporters Unity Auditorium Dhaka. The Theme of the World Fair Trade day 2011 was “TRADE FOR PEOPLE – Fair Trade your world”.
• ECOTA under the FK Norway South-South exchange program (2011-12) hosted two participants from Fair Trade Group Nepal who received training on Dye and Print Technology. ECOTA also and send three participants of its member organizations (DEW, SEDS, Prokritee) to Nepal and India to receive training on Retail Outlet Coordination and Handmade Paper Technology.
• ECOTA piloted SFTMS project.
• ECOTA arranged the Annual General Meeting 2011 that was held on 29th of October 2011. This year the Election has formed and the General Body of ECOTA elected the Present Executive Committee Members for the year 2011-13. 

Year - 2009

• Ms. Ramona Ramos the Director of the World Fair Trade Organization Asia (Former Asia Fair Trade Forum) visited Bangladesh. While visiting Bangladesh, Ms. Ramos met the Governing Board of ECOTA in a Special Meeting on 07 February 2009 at ECOTA Secretariat Office, Dhaka. She stated that being an old acquainted with ECOTA, it is the best time to be here and as working in a regional level WFTO Asia is obliged to be helpful to each other, and have that broad scope as we can understand each others situation easily. She also visited some member organizations and their production site. She presented the scope of SMFTF in fair trade arena and discussed on the upcoming NEPAL conference.
• ECOTA arranged a Producer Mapping study for Asia Fair Trade Forum (now WFTO Asia) team from Philippines in February 2009. The study team interviewed different level of stakeholders of Fair Trade Market chain including producer, Managerial persons. ECOTA assisted the mapping in communication, travel and transliteration with the interviewee in members working in Dhaka, Madaripur, Satkhira and in Jessore.   
• World Fair Trade Organization-Asia and World Fair Trade Organization- Bangladesh, known as ECOTA- National Fair Trade Network of Bangladesh has arranged a 04 days long Program for Continuous Improvement Training a  Resource Person Development program for the individuals who will work as the Certified PCI monitor Consultants for the relevant Social Entrepreneurs Nationally and Internationally.  The training was held from 16- 19 February 2009 at the ECOTA Secretariat. Mr. S. Ram Bhat facilitated the training sessions. There were twelve Participants who were recognized with certificates after the training completion.
• ECOTA renewed its legal entity from “Registrar Joint Stock Companies and Firms” which was effective from February 2009.
• ECOTA- National Fair Trade Network of Bangladesh celebrated the  World Fair Trade Day 2009 along with over eighty countries with a Round Table Discussion- Fair Trade: Change the World at IDB Bhaban, Dhaka, on 09 May, 2009.
• ECOTA members joined the World Fair Trade Organization (Former IFAT) Global conference, Nepal, 16-23 May 2009. ECOTA participated the Conference and contributed their comments, suggestions, and opinions to make it effective in the country perspective. 
• With the financial support of FK-Norway and coordination of Fair Trade Group Nepal, ECOTA started implementing the Fredkorpset Norway South-South Exchange Programme 2009 “Establishing and Enhancing a Sustainable South-South Fair Trade Partnership” project. The project involves exchange of participants between Fair Trade Group Nepal, Fair Trade Forum-India and ECOTA Fair Trade Limited to transfer knowledge and skill on Crafts Process and techniques and Crafts Marketing and Promotion. Under Phase III (2010-11) ECOTA send three participants of its member organization (DEW, TSDS, NRDS) to Fair Trade Group Nepal to receive training on Handmade Paper Technology and SFTMS Intern. On the other hand, ECOTA hosted two participants from Fair Trade Group Nepal and trained them on Dye and Print Technology.
• To make the Fair trade networking platform sustainable ECOTA Trade Model Planning was prepared. It was decided that ECOTA can go for Income Generating activities for its sustainability. The primary focus for these initiatives will be on Fair Trade Tourism and Handicraft display centre.  A business plan on Fair Trade Tourism was developed and Presented before Executive Board on May 2009 Board meeting.
• ECOTA prepared the Project implementation Plan for NRDS. The plan was prepared During June 2009.
• ECOTA arranged a Sustainable Fair Trade Management System- external stakeholders’ consultation session in 02 June 2009 at ECOTA office. It was a continuation of SFTMS certification preprocessing Program arranged for WFTO, conducted by WFTO external affair responsible Ms. Christine Gent 
• ECOTA conducted Baseline Study for NRDS from May to July 2009 and was completed and presented in a sharing meeting held in ECOTA office, 25 June 2009. This baseline of the small craft production in the greater Noakhali region was launched to accommodate the necessary information to provide a solid background to the Small Crafts Producers Development Project with DANIDA to be implemented by NRDS. The study has focused the facts essential for the small craft producers’ better presence in the market which could consequently make their socio-economic life better. The study has found the basic lacks in the area of capacity both in the producer and entrepreneurs end and poor market penetration with compatible products and offer before the consumer along with advocacy in the relevant level. 

Year - 2008

• ECOTA Secretariat completed the Project Completion report and was accepted by the European Commission (April 2008).
• ECOTA was honored to get invitation from European Commission to display its handicraft products on the European Day 9th May 2008 that was held in at Bashundhara Convention Centre. ECOTA with the support of Designer Forum arranged a stall, collected product from member organizations, displayed the handicraft products for selling.
• ECOTA arranged a workshop on World Fair Trade Day 2008 in 10th May 2008 at CIRDAP. The theme of WFTD was- fair trade and eco-friendly earth. ECOTA also published a booklet.
• ECOTA  participated the 16^th World Congress On Information Technology  (WCIT 2008) that was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 19- 22 May 2008. The same time ECOTA also had meeting with Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP).
• ECOTA participated the Stockholm Challenge Awarded at Sweden from 17- 24 May 2008.
• ECOTA arranged a Marketing Planning Work Shop with Asia Fair Trade Forum (now WFTO Asia) at CORR the Jute Works Training Centre, Gulshan from 2-5 July 2008. More than twenty member organizations of ECOTA- National Fair Trade Network of Bangladesh participated in the workshop. The participant was from the managerial level personnel. 
• ECOTA completed the study on the Existing Regulation of the Handicraft Sector in Bangladesh. Dr. Ahmed Kamal & Mr. Akhter Hossen were the Consultants of this study. The study was presented in the final workshop.
• ECOTA prepared the Support to develop Fair Trade entrepreneurs with EU Project Completion Report which was accepted by EU.
• ECOTA Prepared the Strategic Plan of for the year 2008-2010 and presented before the member organizations. It was further revised and complimented by a Committee consist of three member organizations. The committee members were Ms. Patricia Kerr, Shishu Polli Plus, Mr. Monjurul Haque, Artisan Hut & Mr. Faridul Hasan Khan, BRAC Aarong. The Committee met  27 February, 27 March & 28 April 2009 and put their input through the meetings and the strategic Plan was drafted finally.
• IFAT (now World fair Trade Organisation) conducted a Study on Sustainable Fair Trade Management System (SFTMS) with the members on their production sites in October 15-22 2008.  ECOTA National Fair Trade Network of Bangladesh arranged the conduction by setting the field operation and consultation sessions. Ms. Christen Gent from WFTO conducted the study. The Consultant visited the producers in Narshingdi, Jhinaidoho.
• ECOTA publication was formatted in Soft Digital Version in December 2008. All the ECOTA publication was converted in to accessible portable document format.
• ECOTA prepared fourteen Proposals and Submitted. The following proposals were-

1. GTZ WFTD Proposal 2008
2. Stockholm Challenge 2008
3. Info Dev
4. To IFAD, Proposal on Fair Trade Handicraft enterprise development 
5. IFAD, The indigenous people’s assistance facility of United Nations
6. Proposal for enabling the rural poor to overcome poverty
7. Common Indigenous Proposal
8. Concept Note on  Employing Manipuri Handicraft of Bangladesh for Socio-Economic Wellbeing and Cultural Heritage Preservation of the Manipuri Community 
9. Study on Women Entrepreneurs in SME: Bangladesh Perspective
10. EBAY Develop Artisan Marketplace in Bangladesh through ICT Support
11. WITNESS Video project
12. Documentation of the Rakhain woman-woven   Textile towards preservation of the Cultural Heritage with prospect to contribute in the community life
13. Aus Aid - proposal for, “Creating an Approach towards Human Rights Implication in the Traditional Handicraft Sector in Bangladesh” under the Human Rights Small Grant
14. SMEF- Study on Women Entrepreneurs in SME: Bangladesh Perspective

Year - 2007

• ECOTA organized  Business Plan for Fair Trade Entrepreneurs Training
• ECOTA organized  Focus Group Discussion for Women Handicraft Entrepreneurs at MIDAS
• ECOTA participated the Microcredit Fair 2007 arranged by Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF)

Year - 2006

• ECOTA visited the member organization Artisan Hut factory at 1st January in Narayangonj along with Designers Forum members and a journalist. The forum members also met with the chairperson of EFTF Mr. Abdul Awal and Mr. Sukumar Pal, Designer of TARANGO. By this time the forum members also met with Mr. Probir Das, Director of Gram Vati (a NGO working with ethnic people). The weekly meetings of the forum are going as well.
• ECOTA participated a five days Web Development and Management Training from 16-21 January 2006 arranged by GTZ with ISL. The ECOTA officers Mr. Arshad Siddiqui, Â Md. Hasan Shahriar, and Ms. Nazlee Jamal participated the training and completed the course successfully along with the other organization representatives.
• ECOTA with the collaboration of Export Promotion Bureau EPB arranged a Seminar discussing on Fair Trade in Bangladesh: Development By the People on 23 February 2006 at EPB board room. Mr. Arshad Siddiqui, Director of ECOTA Fair Trade Forum presented the key note paper while Mr. Faridul Hasan, Director of EPB presided over the event in the EPB board room. Participants attended from various GO-NGO, SMEs.
• ECOTA participated the Jibika Mela (Char Livelihood Fair) which was organized by the ECOTA member “Development Wheel-DEW” from 24-25 February in Char Nolshunda of Jamalpur district. The theme of the fair was the Life and Living of Char Dwellers and that intended to extend an opportunity to link char producers with other chars and mainstream life and living. The then State Minister of Finance and Planning, Major General (retd.) Mr. Anwarul Kabir Talukder inaugurated the fair. Mr. Nick Taylor, First Secretary of the Delegation of the European Commission to Bangladesh, DGM of Pran Group Mr. Tobarak Hossain, Director of Comunicca Mr. Anish Barua, Government officers, Development Partners, SMEs and Representatives of Media were also present at the fair.
• A Coalition meeting with Mr. Silvio Marconi, Country Representative of Terre des Hommes Italia at took place on 7th March 2006. The meeting focused on to find out the common field of interest for both organizations. Both the parties agreed to approach collaborative work and to determine the possible issues of work in future road march. Mr. Arshad Siddiqui, Md. Hasan Shahriar and Ms. Nazlee Jamal participated in the meeting.
• The EC meeting of ECOTA held on 12 March 2006 at ECOTA  meeting room. The committee members discussed on present issues and approved the last minutes in the meeting.
• Under the Business Development Service ECOTA from 16-17 and 25-26 March arranged a supportive program for Polle Unnoyon Prokolpo (PUP), Bogra to prepare business proposal, annual report 2005, slide presentation for participating a fashion show in Brussels and two case study reports.
• ECOTA observed the 5^th World Fair Trade Day 2006.
• ECOTA attended in the meeting arranged by EPB (Export Promotion Bureau) on Riyadh Single Country Fair held at 25-28 May. ECOTA disseminated the information to its member organizations with detail about the fair.
• ECOTA as a Consultancy Activist completed a Study on Fair Trade Producer Groups of Bangladesh for People Tree Japan.
• ECOTA launched its new website on test basis- www.ecotaftf.org/test. Another initiative has taken to develop the website with the financial assistance of GTZ.
• Ms. Nele Schmidt Teuteberg, Product Development Manager of Oxfam Australia Trading Pvt. Ltd. visited ECOTA secretariat and met with the staffs & Designers Forum members. She had a special meeting with EFTF member organization and made a presentation on Oxfam trading activities in this region. ‘We are interested to make a long term relationship with Bangladeshi producers’- she said with hope. She visited eight EFTF member organizations of ECOTA.
• As the part of Business Development Service ECOTA supported to SOVA for preparing organizational Brochure.
• ECOTA staffs participated the following Trainings under the EIS Project-
  Library Management Training from 16th -18th April.
  Training on Business Correspondent dated 27th May and 03rd June.
  Training on Product mapping: 18th -24th June 2006
  Training on Customer Service: 24th June 2006 and 01st July
  Training on Project management: 05th July and 12th July 2006
  A Survey on Business Information need assessment for the EFTF members
• ECOTA submitted two projects in UNESCO and one in Manuser Jonno MJ.     GKP/ traidcraft EX/ corporate control/ tdh/ btc proposal (project title)

Year - 2005

• ECOTA arranged a Seminar on Research Presentation “Crafts Sector in Bangladesh: Promises and Challenges” on 28^th February, Monday 2005 at Press Club Conference Lounge which was successfully done. The seminar presided by Dr. Ahmed Kamal and the speakers were Mr. Mustafa Mohiuddin, Director General EPB; Mr. Michel B. Gomes, Chairperson Asia Fair Trade Forum AFTF (now WFTO Asia), Mr. Arshad Siddiqui, Director ECOTA Fair Trade Forum. Dr. Syed Tarique-Uz-Zaman presented the keynote paper. Mr. Abdul Awal, Chairperson ECOTA Fair Trade Forum moderated the session. The representatives from GO, NGO and journalist of various news agencies contributed their opinion.

• ECOTA prepared a Best Practice Document of the year 2004. All of the member organization can share their knowledge and experience with each other through this document.
• ECOTA observed the Global Week of Action 10-16 April 2005 in Bangladesh (Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Satkhira) along with ECOTA’s members and artisans to raise the voice against global unfair trading system. ECOTA also published leaflet, poster, and booklet and distributed. A DABINAMA was published, which include the expectation of Bangladeshi artisan and sent it to our Peoples Representatives (MPs). ECOTA also organized a colorful rally, press briefings and candle light procession in Dhaka. Respectively, Rishilpi Development Project at Satkhira district, Thanapara Swallows Development Society at Rajshahi and Young Power Social Action YPSA at Chittagong observed events on the occasion.
• ECOTA organized a weeklong workshop from 19-26 April 2005 in cooperation of DTC on Basic Handicraft Design to create a new product inspiration from other product. The resources persons were Mr. Chandra Shaker Shah, Mr. Sabih-Ul-Alam, Mr.A.M. Saadullah, Mr.Sohail Askar.
• ECOTA published Karushilpee a quarterly newsletter covering news on current issues, market information and opportunities, members'-Buyer's-Fair's-Conferences information, Contemporary articles, declaration and many more.
• EFTF observed World Fair Trade Day 14th May 2005 at central public library seminar hall. In the mean time, ECOTA published “Crafts Sector in Bangladesh: Promises & Challenges” and released the book on this occasion. The Guest of Honour was Mr. Mostofa Mohiuddin Director General of EPB. The seminar was chaired by Ms. Bertha Gity Baroi, EC member of EFTF and moderated by Mr. Arshad Sidiqui, Director of EFTF. The key Discussant was Mr. Salaimullah Khan. ECOTA published two articles on Fair Trade in daily newspaper the ‘Jugantor’ and ‘Sangbad’.
• ECOTA and GTZ signed an Agreement for implementing Enterprise Information Services (EIS) project. Primarily, the project starts from June 2005 and ends at December 2007. The project is initiated that aiming to face the post MFA era in developing countries. Primarily, the project has started from June 2005 and ends at December 2007. Objective of the component is “Increased Use and Improved Supply of Demand-Led Enterprise Information”. Under the project ECOTA representatives received training on Information Management, Basic Microsoft Office and Report Writing Training.
• ECOTA met the International Personnel from renowned organizations such as- Mr. Abul Azam, UK; Mr. Shahed Ferdous, Country Representative of Traidcraft Exchange (TX); Ms. Helen, Traidcraft Exchange TX; Cottrel, New Zealand; Ms. Barkatt, Asia representative; Mr. Abid A. Mallick, Senior Manager of Aga Khan Foundation; IFAT Business Consultant; Mr. Jonathon, Ethical Trade Forum, Judith Condor Vidal from Oxford Fair Trade Coalition.

Year - 2004

• Annual General Meeting 2004 was held on 27th April.
• ECOTA participated the IFAT Bi-annual Conference 2004, 1-7 May 2004, held in Quito, Equador. The ECOTA Representative was the three member organizations namely Mr. Abdul Awal, Chief Coordinator of NRDS; Mr.Shah Abdus Salam, Executive Director of Development Wheel (DEW) and Mr. A. B. M. Ruhul Quddus Shahnewaj, Coordinator of Jahanara Cottage Industries JCI.
• ECOTA observed World Fair Trade Day 2004 from May 07-08, 2004. ‘SMALL CHANGE BIG DIFFERENCE’ was the main theme of this year. EFTF arranged a rally, press conference, a daylong product display were being arranged on this occasion.
• ECOTA arranged a Focus Group Discussion on Social Order with its four members on June 14 in its Auditorium. The participants were Dhaka Handicraft, YWCA Craft Centre, CORR the Jute Works and MCC.
• ECOTA organized a one week Workshop on Surface Design and Product Development titled “Working with Hand Print” from 26 to 31 July 2004 at Center for Design & Technology Ltd. (DTC) auditorium, Banani, Dhaka. Eight organizations participated that workshop. The workshop introduced Geometry of Arrangement in product design development.
• During 25 August to 11 September, Mr. Arshad Siddiqui, Director of ECOTA visited Germany aiming to Study Craft Sector of Germany. This tour was initiated by GTZ PROGRESS-3 for individual training benefits as well as organizations design support.
• ECOTA organized a Seminar Fair Trade in Bangladesh : Challenges and Prospects on September 17, 2004 at the meeting room no. 01 of IDB Bhaban. In the seminar, Mr. Mahfuz Ullah, Secretary General of CFSD; Mr. Michel B. Gomes, Chairperson of Asia Fair Trade Forum; Prof. M. M. Akash, Economics Department, Dhaka University and Prof. Anu Muhammad , Economics Department, Jahangirnagar University were presented as guest of honor. Mr. Abdul Awal , Chairperson of ECOTA Fair Trade Forum moderated the program and Mr. Arshad Siddiqui , Director of ECOTA Fair Trade Forum presented the keynote. All the personnel from government offices, NGOs, private sectors SMEs, Civil society members and media took participation in open discussion.
• ECOTA participated the WSIS Round Table Consultation on 10 September organized by BFES at BRAC Center. As a representative of ECOTA, Mr. Md. Hasan Shahriar Program Officer attended the seminar. The discussion was on upcoming WSIS second phase event which was be held in Tunis form 16 to 18 November.
• ECOTA, Networking and Coordination officer Ms. Nazlee Zamal participated the GMO workshop at Mymensingh from 10 to 11 September which organized by VOICE.
• ECOTA Fair Trade Forum obtained Company Registration under “Registrar Joint Stock Companies and Firms” as ECOTA Fair Trade Limited which was effective from 20^th September, 2004.
• ECOTA organized Product Development Workshop from October 23-24, 2004 at WVA Auditorium to focus household textile accessories. This workshop helped the participants to identify areas for them to develop new products that meet these trends for the future market promotion.
• ECOTA arranged a Media Conference with the journalist of reputed national dailies at 29^th December 2004 in ECOTA Forum office. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce craft sector with different Journalist. The discussion focused on different issues of Fair Trade.
• Targeting to Establish an Artist Pool, ECOTA arranged a meeting with the artists of Art Institute, Under the Dhaka University at 29^th December 2004 at ECOTA Forum office. ECOTA decided to establish a full fledge artist pool for the artisan groups of ECOTA’s member organizations to get the opportunity to share their knowledge and experience between intuitional artist and traditional artist with their indigenous knowledge. In this regard ECOTA formed a Designers Forum in 2004. The forum members regularly sit together, make discussion and made an exposure visit with producer groups of Dhaka Handicrafts at Savar in the 26th Sep, Monday, 2005 for better understanding the real experience on product designing.
• It has been perceived that there were some potential organizations among ECOTA members who are the exemplary of best practitioners in Fair Trade but did not get the chance to come to light. In this regard, ECOTA took initiative to prepare Best Practice Documentation. This documentation was such kind of document from where all of the member organization can share their knowledge and experience with each other. A comprehensive document will be prepared including all of ECOTA members in future.
• ECOTA published the Annual Report of the year 2004 that placed in the Special General Meeting SGM and distributed to EFTF stakeholders.
• ECOTA published a new Brochure highlight organizational image.
• ECOTA produced a Media Coverage Report during January to December consisted event wise media coverage that focused on ECOTA's recent activities, fair trade issues and future plan for the improvement of Handicraft Sector in Bangladesh.

Year - 2003

• ECOTA through Technical Support Services developed and upgraded ECOTA’s website www.ecotaftf.org, developed HEED Handicrafts’s website www.heedhandicrafts.com provided hardware and troubleshooting solutions to ECOTA and the members throughout the project.
• ECOTA observed the World Fair Trade Day 2003 on May 16 & 17, 2003 through arranging Seminar on “Towards Fair Trade: An Exploration of Handicrafts Sector”, Award giving ceremony for the Best Artisans, Product Display, Artisan at Work. The whole program was done through Press briefing, media coverage etc.
• To Strengthening Fair and Ethical Trade Issues & Self-Monitoring among the Practitioners, the ECOTA advocacy desk was responsible for revisiting the IFAT (International Fair Trade Association) Fair Trade Standards in order to analyze and prepare the indicators against each standard regarding the Bangladesh context.
• At advocacy level ECOTA did lots of activities, such as-

1. Organized a Workshop on Campaigning for Corporate Social Responsibility jointly with Traidcraft. The ECOTA members, the personnel from GOB, Garments, and International Development Agencies participated the workshop.
2. Arranged a Seminar on Campaign for the significance & benefits of fair & ethical trade practices.
3. Monitoring fair trade principles among all: Assisting IFAT members in Self assessment and development of a format They got the accreditation from IFAT
4. Developed certain number of Campaigning Material on Fair Trade, like as: Posters – 2, Sticker – 1, Leaflets, Documentary – 1

• Under the banner of  Member Support Services, ECOTA- Visited the members' working areas, developed Product Gallery for ECOTA website, contacted with Buyers and donors, provided Market Information System through CDs and emails which covered ‘Market information: European Fair Trade Market Overview 2003’, ‘Market Profile: UK Home Accessories 2003/2004’ and ‘Fair Traders & Product Profile: UK Home Accessories 2003/2004’.
• ECOTA introduced a newsletter named Karushilpee.
• This year ECOTA extended its Services extended to Local and international Organisations working towards establishment of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). This activity could earn revenue for ECOTA core fund.

• ECOTA organized Workshop on ‘Global E-commerce for Bangladesh’ with PEOPLink from 15 -16^th October, 2003. A number of twenty one participants from fifteen organizations participated the workshop and learnt about e-commerce, digital imaging, internet, marketing aspect of the products, and developing catalogues by using CATGEN, software developed by PEOPLink.

• ECOTA organized a Workshop on Board Building for the member organizations with the objective to strengthen the organizations.  Ms Josephine Oguta, Board Consultant, conducted the workshop.

Year - 2002

• ECOTA organized a daylong workshop on “How to Succeed in International Trade Fair Participation”, held at IDB Bhaban on January 30, 2002. The aim of the workshop was to help the NGOs and SMEs from the handicrafts sector to understand the key issues that will enable them to make their participation in international trade fairs more effective.
• As part of the local trade promotional activities, ECOTA organized a local trade fair “ECOTA Trade Fair 2002” at Shishu Academy Ground from April 9 – 15, 2002. The fair was a very successful event and a number of thirty-eight SMEs and NGOs participated the trade fair. Around 35,000 people visited the trade fair and the participants enjoyed the total sales of Tk. 20, 00,000 within a week.
• A day long Workshop on Financing Fair Trade was organized jointly by ECOTA and SISL (a co-operative lending society, based in Newcastle, UK). The workshop held on April 23, 2002 at the BRAC Centre. The purpose of the workshop was to understand- i) whether the initiative of SISL (or alternative scenarios) is suitable for implementation in Bangladesh and ii) Are the producers in Bangladesh are committed to work with SISL.
• To observe World Fair Trade day 2002, ECOTA organized a national press conference on May 04, 2002 at the Dhaka Reporter’s Unity auditorium. On the occasion, ECOTA shared and disseminated the information on Fair Trade, Fair Trade Standards, share the experiences of the producers of fair traders to know about the producers’ life and their perception of Fair Trade and to aware everybody about the significance of Fair Trade.
• Workshop on Fair Trade & Gender Issues was organized to promote fair trade and create consciousness regarding gender issue on August 11, 2002 at Women Voluntary Association auditorium. The key objectives of the workshop was to help to visualize  and understand the Fair Trade principles, promotion Fair Trade standards in businesses and understand the meaning of gender and other relevant issues.
• ECOTA organized a Workshop on sharing of “knowledge gained during the visit to Manila” for all the members.
• ECOTA participated IFAT (at present WFTO) Regional Conference at Jakarta, Indonesia along with nine other Bangladeshi Fair Trading organizations, to setting the indicators of self-assessment of the Fair Trading Organisations. Besides, ECOTA and the participating members received a lot of updated information on Fair Trade, campaigning, advocacy. ECOTA arranged partial financial support from Oxfam for all the participants.
• ECOTA organized a Buyer-Seller Meeting in December while Mr. David Cambioli was visiting Bangladesh flying from Italy. At different times, EFTF received a number of visitors from abroad who are active in promoting Fair Trade. The organisations are : Fair Trade Group, Nepal, Paul Mayer, Ten Thousannd Village, USA, Ockenden International, Pakistan; Helen McCree Traidcraft, UK; Nick Nighty, Traidcraft, UK; John Hinton, Traidcraft UK; Mr Martin, UK; Ms Christine Gent, Traidcraft, UK; Mr Colin Crawford, SISL.
• ECOTA has developed its own Website (www.ecota.net), 2002.
• The overall objective of Networking and Coordination is to bring solidarity among the organizations involved in Fair Trade movement at the national, regional and international level. It gives members, partners, GOB, trade promotion bodies, NGOs and donor agencies, exposure to each other’s activities. 

Year - 2001

• In 2001, ECOTA was able to seize the attention of the Media people throughout the year. Almost all the most popular dailies, both Bengali & English had the coverage on ECOTA’s activities. ECOTA did hold press conference to share the various issues related to fair trade, the growth of export, its own strategies and actions for the development of the craft industry of the country and the role of government to facilitate the SMEs involved in this sector.
• ECOTA participated Ambient International Fair Feb 14-23, 2001 in Germany. The aim was to build up ECOTA Staffs and its members-partners more efficient on export market for handicrafts and build up rapport with international buyers.
• ECOTA arranged a program to generate Debate & Dialogue among the stakeholders to focus on the status of Producers.
• ECOTA arranged a workshop on focusing Major Product line e.g. producers involved in bamboo, cane & grass product.
• ECOTA hired a European Design Consultant, Ms. Victoria Zeffert to work with its members, partners to Develop New Product for European Market. The participants were now able to create innovative products and export those products to European Market.
• Followed by the above-mentioned design training, a technical design input, ECOTA arranged Design Input Training with the technical support from Jackie Corrlett and the local Designer from BIFT. Eight member-partner organizations of ECOTA received the design input service. The major aim of the design input was to carry out a follow-up of the design training as well as to assist the participating organisations to develop at least four ranges of new products.
• ECOTA facilitated its members-partners to promote their products in international market. As a part of ECOTA’s trade facilitation program, Mr. Bimal Banik, Director of Swajan Bangladesh- a partner organization of ECOTA Forum, got the opportunity to join the Market Awareness Tour Programme, which held from April 25 to May 5, 2001 in England.
• ECOTA fair Trade Forum won the DTI Award for Capacity Building in the Commonwealth in the 2001 Worldwide Business Awards.
• ECOTA wrote Research Proposal on Needs analysis of Fair Trade Terracotta Producers in Bangladesh July 30 2001.
• A weeklong Design Training titled “Creativity & Design” 09-13 September was organized to identify the participants’ own potential in searching ideas and effectively replicate it for new product development and contribute to the success of the businesses in terms of craft sales.
• ECOTA participated a seminar on “Into the Market” from 16^th to 22^nd September 2001 in the Netherlands. The main objectives of the seminar was to perceive an intensive view about the mainstream market issues and net working with the other organisations involved in seminar works.
• ECOTA organized a workshop on CatGen (Catalogue Generator) as part of its ongoing LAGMI project, funded by PEOPLink –USA. Web Catalogue Development was one of the main objectives of this workshop. A total number of thirty-three representative participants from ECOTA member & Non-member NGOs and SMEs had joined that workshop. 
• PEOPLink-USA, a partner of ECOTA developed an extraordinary Web Catalogue software called CatGen (Catalogue Generator).
• ECOTA conducted a Study on producer livelihood vs. family & social violence.

Year - 2000

• The then International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT) with the collaboration of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Government of Bangladesh jointly organized The Asia Regional Fair Trade Exhibition – January 18 -22, 2000.
• ECOTA started Marketing Activities from beginning January 2000. ECOTA was publishing Quarterly Newsletter regularly.
• Traidcraft Exchange, an UK based NGO participated the Birmingham Spring fair' February 6 – 10, 2000. Traidcraft exhibited its partner’s products. Moreover, in this continuation, the successful product development program that was held in 1999 helped ECOTA to take the opportunity to promote its products, which made up almost 50% of the range on the stand. The Participants got the opportunity contacting wholesalers and large retailers, who are interested in importing directly from the producers.  
• A Follow up of the Quality Assurance Workshop was held from March 29-30, 2000. The main purpose of the follow up was to understand any improvements or barriers, to implement the action prepared by the previous workshop, to share new tips for further improvements and understand the relationship between quality and profitability.
• With the support of Bangladesh Export Market Assistance Programme (BEMAP) Project, ECOTA identified the lacking of quality management among craft producers in Bangladesh as a considerable barrier to entering the mainstream market. For this purpose, ECOTA focused on Market Research and arranged Dhaka Quality Assurance Workshop on March 2000.
• ECOTA organized Product Development Workshops in May (8-9, 2000) focusing on Christmas products and textile household accessories. For two reasons, the theme of Christmas products is being chosen. Firstly, research undertaken in Europe identified market opportunities for these products and secondly it allowed a wide range of members/partners to participate and all the materials were available. This activity was a wonderful example of a coordination approach to product development that involved MIS, capacity building and trade facilitation/marketing at ECOTA, its project partners and Traidcraft Exchange. The other important aspect of this service was the development of an excel software based costing worksheet which enabled the participants to calculate proper costing more easily. 
• ECOTA organized Design Input Service from May 10-18, 2000. The design input service focused on Christmas Products development. The main emphasis was given this year was in Christmas products which would be exhibited in the Spring Fair Birmingham 2001. Ms Bo Hotston, design consultant from UK, facilitated the two-day product development workshop, and later on worked with ten member/partners organizations of ECOTA.
• ECOTA organized a MIS Workshop in May 2000 and later on established MIS library enriching with a good number of design books, catalogues etc.
• A two-day Product Costing & Pricing workshop from 12-13 July 2000 was organized to give a clearer idea about the cost incurred in production, know the importance of conducting proper costing analysis and based on these analyses, set proper pricing of product. However, this was a foundation course for most of the participants, they were able to learn the process of costing and pricing of the products, they are manufacturing/ selling. On the other hand, to be a proficient in this area, the producers need to practice rigorously.
• ECOTA took part in the Tendence fair at Frankfurt, Germany in August 2000. ECOTA and its members and partners organizations exhibited approx. 120 product samples. One of the participants got the opportunity to get exposure in international trade fair exhibition.
• In 2000, ECOTA arranged a National Seminar on Fair Trade in Bangladesh The objectives of the seminar was to promote fair trade concept in our country, aware the mass people about Fair Trade, campaign for ethical trade and inform the civil society, journalist and media persons about best practices of Fair Trade.
• ECOTA organized a refresh workshop on Quality Management Support to assess the overall performance of the participants. A positive reflection helped to cascade innovations to take many initiatives.
• A daylong Producer Workshop on Terracotta & Jute products was held at Women Voluntary Association Auditorium on October 30’ 2000 for the craft persons of ECOTA member-partner organizations. Eighteen grass-root-level producers were present in the workshop to share their problems and probable solutions.
• A workshop on International Design Input for Textile was held on Oct 21-November 7, 2000. Member-partner organisations were given new product development support through Design Input. The major focus of the input was on household textile and fashion accessories.
• ECOTA organized a seminar on Fair Trade in Bangladesh on November 2000 at CIRDAP auditorium to promote and discuss about the Fair Trade principles with the local Government Officials.
• ECOTA Fair Trade Fair, 2000 was organized from Nov 21-25’ 2000 at Shishu Academy Ground. A number of twenty-five member-partner organisation of EFTF took part in that fair. ECOTA enjoyed a total sale of Tk. 843,388.00. Approximate 10,876 people visited the fair.
• ECOTA conducted New Product Development Consultancy, 2000.
• This year ECOTA organized four Export Market Awareness training program for the  selected four participants from its own four staffs and one from partner organizations to attend the training in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. The main objective of such awareness building/raising program was to provide first hand exposure of the market where they have been operating or trying to operate. Specifically, about the lifestyle, standard of product quality & display, packaging & labeling, pricing & its competitiveness, importance of product range, market segment where they operate, type of customer they target etc.
• ECOTA emphasized not only on Christmas product development but also on Product Design input. In this regard, ECOTA facilitated a workshop by a local consultant. On an average twelve Sketches or designs have been developed for each participant organizations and in total ten organizations got the design-input support from ECOTA.
• ECOTA initiated a program called Producer Exchange Visit in which producers of different member-partner organizations get the opportunity to visit one another’s project at regional and national level and exchange ideas and experience with each other. The main objective of this program was to give exposure to the grass root level producers/craft persons on the different ways other producers work as well as to strengthen relationship among ECOTA member-partner organization, e.g. NGOs and private businesses.
• In 2000, ECOTA got significant amount of coverage in the print, press and tele media, such as The Observer, The Daily Star, The Independent, Bhorer Kagoz, Azker Kagoz, Ittefaque, Prothom Alo, Janakanthay, Jugantar, Inqilab, Matribhumi and The Financial Express etc. In total fifteen newspapers published the coverage on ECOTA events. In addition, public and private TV channels like ETV, Channel i, ATN, BTV etc. have also covered ECOTA’s some specific activities such as fair, seminar etc.
• ECOTA published a booklet on fair trade, titled as `Fair Trade: Definition and perspective’ in English and Bangla version. This booklet would be able to gather more interest to a wider community. This booklet was distributed in national seminar and Fair Trade Fair inauguration program.
• ECOTA with the financial support of Oxfam GB  launched A two-year project titled Craft and Producer Improvement Project (CAPI). The aim of this project was to improve the condition of the grass-root level producers through lobbying and advocacy with various GOs, NGOs, and other organizations, and to carry out research/study on a number of craft and producer related issues.
• Under Capacity Building Program, a Program Manager and a Marketing Manager visited various organizations for business counseling, need analysis, and got first hand information.
• ECOTA implemented a series of activities under the Linking Artisans to Global Markets via Internet (LAGMI) Project in the respective project area.