Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) has added 103 Abaco artisans to the growing craft industry as the new multi million dollar craft market downtown Nassau nears completion.<\/p>\n
And, construction of a virtual market place in cyberspace from where Bahamian artisans can sell their products over the Internet to anyone in the world has started, it was confirmed.<\/p>\n
Utilising ingredients found in the local environment, participants from Moore\u2019s Island, Sandy Point, Crossing Rocks, and Marsh Harbour last weekend showed off their creative skills during graduation ceremonies for them.<\/p>\n
They produced a variety of figurines, jewellery, bags, hats, utensils, paper-weights, key chains, and other items.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so impressed by what they have done,\u201d said BAIC executive chairman Edison M Key. \u201cThe quality of the products is fantastic.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat tells me what a promising future is in store for these people once they can sell these products regularly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is going to make a big difference for them being able to earn a living from right from their homes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some 2,000 persons throughout the islands have taken courses in Bahamian craft and souvenir creation hosted by BAIC\u2019s Handicraft Development and Marketing Department.<\/p>\n
The result of all this, he said, can be the creation of a major industry in The Bahamas.<\/p>\n
Mr. Key urged artisans to tap into the $300 million used to import souvenir and craft items for residents and tourists.<\/p>\n
\u201cImagine what it would do for the economy if just a third of that was spent in support of the local craft and souvenir industry,\u201d he said. \u201cFirstly, it would put a huge dent in unemployment.\u201d<\/p>\n
While craft creation is presently dominated by women, Mr. Key recognised the contribution of Reno Smith of Moore\u2019s Island whose bird creations out of shells add a new dimension to the Bahamian brand.<\/p>\n
And, in an effort to attract more men to the industry, BAIC is offering courses in wood turning.<\/p>\n
Material for the craft centre and farmers market for downtown Marsh Harbour has started to arrive and the structure should take form over the next six weeks, said Mr. Key.<\/p>\n
As the multi-million dollar craft centre downtown Nassau nears completion, debate rages as to whether only authentically Bahamian made products should be sold there.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the government really puts the emphasis on \u2018authentically Bahamian\u2019, I can see that being a huge impetus for the development of our craft and souvenir industry.\u201d<\/p>\n
BAIC\u2019s assistant general manager for handicraft, Donnalee Bowe confirmed that work has started on opening markets online for Bahamian artisans.<\/p>\n
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) had executed a $500,000 grant to launch the Bahamian handicraft industry into cyberspace.<\/p>\n
Signed between the IDB and Bahamas Chamber of Commerce in partnership with BAIC it will allow artisans to do business online when fully operational.<\/p>\n
The strategy of the project is to develop a programme that complements the government\u2019s effort to rally the industry around a structured approach to the establishment of industry standards, marketing, and addressing the over-reliance on imports.<\/p>\n
Its primary focus will be the development and launch of a virtual platform with functionalities to support and facilitate the marketing, sales, and distribution of Bahamian manufactured handcraft souvenirs via the Internet.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will modernise the way we sell our products to the world,\u201d said Ms Bowe. \u201cThe ability for Bahamian artisans to sell their products online is a significant advance.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn a daily basis we can see remarkable improvements in the quality and variety of products produced by our artisans.\u201d<\/p>\n
By Gladstone Thurston
\nBahamas Information Services<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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