The minister of trade and industry Mr Francois Kanimba has announced that government plans to establish a permanent exhibition that would strategically promote and strengthen the untapped handcraft business.
Speaking at the launching of the annual Handcraft Excellence Award program at Amahoro stadium Remera recently, Kanimbla said, “The event aims at promoting handcraft business by showcasing craft products and making people more aware. We also aim at supporting the business by evaluating and finding for challenges handcrafters are facing and obtaining solutions both individual and collective. However, some of these problems they face are unknown”.
The weeklong exhibition aims at honouring talented artisans from across the country for their innovative achievements while supporting their work and displaying their inventive and inspiring creations.
The tight competition started with 455 participants in 11 categories from 30 districts across the country narrowing down to 92 selected artisans currently competing at the country level. The handcrafts include imaginative works for various home decorations, products made from recyclable material, basket weaves, fruit processed products, leather and hides products among many others.
Handcraft sector has great potential for improving standards of living by generating substantial income and providing employment opportunities and could help regulating the trade deficit through exportation of handcraft products.
Mukandoli Judith an ex farmer and founder of COOPAFU association at Nyamagabe says “ Things have turned out much better for me and my family , I can afford to pay for my children’s school fees while before it was quite a struggle to do so “.
The craft business that targets women and disabled people has consequently spawned a positive impact among some of the artisans.
Antoine Bangandwinshi of KOVADI association specialises in producing goods from recyclable materials has been an artisan since 2008 says “, Even though we struggle to get market for our products the standards of living are still better compared to when I was still a farmer 4 years ago. ”
Leave a Reply