2024-08-27 05:15:58
Last week, Brazzaville, Congo hosted the second International Crafts Fair of Congo (FIAC), giving artisans from Congo and across Africa the opportunity to exchange ideas and do business, despite the fact that the sector is still too low a value in the national economy.
From our correspondent in Brazzaville:
Wilfried Itoua, 44, a Congolese, shows off his handicrafts on the grounds near a monument erected in memory of former French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza. The site in the city center is the site of an international craft fair. CongoWilfried mainly offers products made from straw from the Congolese savannah.
« Objects found here include benches, women’s accessories, baskets and firefly lamps (an African lamp made of straw) », the craftsman explains.
A few metres away, Chadian Chantal Matteul displayed a variety of products, including ones made with chebet, a plant that helps women’s hair grow. We represent Chad with everything that Chadian artisans do, starting with dyed fabrics, handmade textiles, hair products made with chebet and shea butter, She testified. In addition to doing business, we are also here to showcase our talents. »
Statistical challenges and the protection of artisans
On the African continent, crafts alone encompass more than 200 occupations. However, Congolese minister in charge of the sector, Jacqueline Lydia Mikolo, said many challenges must be addressed in order to better regulate them. We face challenges with intellectual property rights for handmade works, we face challenges with financing artisans “, she stressed.
Another challenge is to protect workers in the sector, especially with regard to social security and health insurance. Protect our artisans so they can produce peacefully for our people », the minister insisted.
African handicrafts are recognised as a sector driving growth and providing jobs, but reliable statistical research is lacking. There is little research on the true contribution of crafts to our country’s GDP », Minister Moussa Moïse Sylla expressed regret Guinea Conakry Responsible for the craftsmanship. ” If you study carefully, you will find that, apart from the agricultural sector, the handicraft sector is the sector that employs the most labor. “, he believes. The International Craft Fair is held every two years and this year attracted at least 2,000 participants.
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