Craftspeople get management training
Ministry Francois Kanimba examines a shoe at the start of the. (photo Bruno Birakwate)
A group of 75 selected handicraft makers from different districts are attending a two-day training organized by MINICOM under the theme “making handcrafts sector a cornerstone for economic development.”
The training is aimed at improving craftspeople in project planning, business development and management, co-operative management and access to markets.
The training is part of the second edition of the Handcraft Excellence Awards program and will end on Thursday.
“The ministry started this program last year to help craftsmen build capacity and upgrade from micro to medium size businesses. There will be a study tour where participants will have an opportunity to visit and share experience with the best in Kigali,” said Annoncee Kuradusenge, director of entrepreneurship in Minicom.
The top three participants will get support from the ministry that will include facilitation to attend both local and international handicraft trade fairs and have their products displayed in Ikaze show room.
Trade and Industry Minister Francois Kanimba said that the arts and crafts industry has a very big potential and assured market globally. “Our artisans have proved that their levels of creativity are competitive on the international market. Today, the global market for handcrafts is over US$ 8 billion; this is why we need to support our handicraft makers to raise their capacities,” he said.
Kanimba added that the target for Rwanda is to earn US$10 million from the export of arts and crafts by the year 2020. Currently, it brings in US$ 3 million per year.
Posted by Bruno Birakwate
on Jun 28 2012. Filed under Business, Daily News, Other News.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
