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Bangladeshi artisans of traditional sari clothing struggle amid economic woes

Editor's note: In this weekly feature China Daily gives voice to Asia and its people. The stories presented come mainly from the Asia News Network (ANN), of which China Daily is among its 20 leading titles.

The industry behind traditional southern Asian attire like the sari and panjabi, worn in areas such as Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan, is increasingly facing the challenge of economic change and development.

Bangladesh's traditional textile sector has deep roots, extending back centuries and interwoven with the nation's cultural identity. The taant sari, traditional female Bengali clothing, can be traced to the eastern Bengal region.