By FARISHA AHMED
With Fijian crafters being given the Fijian Crafted Licence now, Government hopes to see more small enterprises prosper in this field.
Deputy Secretary Trade and Investment Division for the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Sovaia Marawa, closed a three-day workshop for Fijian crafters at the Suva Peninsula Hotel yesterday.
Organised by the Fiji Arts Council, the workshop was to train 20 locally-selected master crafts people on ‘Basic Marketing Skills Development and Improving Product Quality’.
“Fijian crafts are a symbol of quality, creativity and authenticity,” Ms Marawa said.
“This workshop was mainly to focus on quality and marketing skills that is essential for our crafts people.”
Mrs Marawa said the Ministry will be aggressively promoting Fijian crafters in the months of July and August which have been announced as crafters month in the Fijian Made-Buy Fijian campaign.
Way forward with a boost
President of Fiji Crafts Society NiqaTukuki said the knowledge provided during the workshop to the crafts people is a way forward.
“This is an access to prosperity and a boost to their business together with the economy,” MrsTuvuki said.
“Whatever skills these people master is a milestone for them. With the Ministry giving licence for Fijian Crafted will surely be for the betterment for the economy as a whole.”
She said the certification and licences given to their members was a step in the right direction in preserving the traditional skill set that people in Fiji have.
Preserving tradition
Seventeen craftsmen and women have been awarded with Fijian made licence to preserve their traditional skills and earn better income.
Out of the seventeen, ten crafts people were part of the three-day workshop.
“I am really thankful for the Government to have our works recognised,” Luisa Makarawa, aweaver from Rotuma,said.
“I have learned a great deal from the workshop and learned various skills of marketing and selling my product.
“The recognition given to the locals will not only benefit our small businesses but will also boost the Fijian economy.”