Aarong

Aarong is a chain of retail outlets located in the major cities of Bangladesh. It is an enterprise of BRAC, the largest non-governmental development organisation in the world. In the Bengali language, "Aarong" means a village fair. At present Aarong has 8 domestic outlets (5 in Dhaka, 1 in Chittagong, 1 in Sylhet and 1 in Khulna), 1 franchise in London as well as considerable export operation in many European, North American and Asian countries. Aarong started its venture in 1978 and currently supports over 65,000 Bangladeshi artisans of whom 85 percent are women. Through a network of 647 production sub-centers and 13 production centers, Aarong has developed a platform for the underprivileged artisans across more than 2000 villages of Bangladesh, where they can utilize their indigenous skills to earn a living. Aarong works in collaboration with the Ayesha Abed Foundation, which provides the artisans the platform to practice their expertise. Additionally, thousands of independent artisans and their families also earn their livelihood through the support of Aarong . Aarong's mission is to help sustain rural craftsmanship and find a wider market for their products nationally and internationally.
Jamindar Ginni dolls sold by Aarong.

Aarong products include Nakshikantha, pottery, crafts on brass, jute, wood, candles, leather, hand woven cloth and silk products, jewelry and a wide variety of trendy yet indigenous products. The store specialties include Nakshikantha (a traditional form of embroidery rooted to the core of Bangladeshi village women) and Jamdani sarees.