Minister to assist handicraftsmen to participate in foreign fairs

by Irangika Range

The Ministry of Rural Industries and Self-Employment Promotion will facilitate to take part the rural micro and small handicraftsmen at international trade fairs, Minister S.B. Nawinna said at the opening ceremony of the "Viskam Dethata Saviyak" exhibition at the Viharamaha Devi Park on Wednesday.

The exhibition was organised by the Ministry in collaboration with Laksala, National Crafts Council, National Handicrafts Board and the National Design Centre.

These industrialists display their products in 105 stalls.

Local crafts have a big demand both locally and internationally. But there should be a leadership to guide and encourage local craftsmen to manufacture to suit the international market and to participate them to international trade fares.

Therefore the Ministry has recognised the necessity of encouraging, preserving and assisting traditional crates and craftsmen of this country targeting improve their livelihood, the Minister said.

The Ministry has planned to conduct this exhibition once in three months islandwide to provide market facilities to sell their products at reasonable prices and to set up an attractive platform to meet potential buyers.

He said that the Ministry has given priority to help rural craftsmen's difficulties and support them. "We should create a new consumer culture which recognises and give due respect to locally made products. Most governments and private institutes use foreign products. We should change this culture by persuading them to realise value of local products which will restrict the flow of money to other countries.