Improving Farmers’ Incomes Is Among NCER Steps
Bernama, Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Bernama) — Diversifying the source of income for farmers, besides providing immediate and direct assistance to hardcore poor families, are among the initiatives outlined in the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) Blueprint.
The NCER blueprint was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Alor Setar Monday. (more…)
Eritrea: President Inaugurates National Festival 2007
AllAfrica.com, Washington
Asmara
President Isaias Afwerki today inaugurated Eritrea Festival 2007 at the national level at the Expo grounds. He was accorded warm welcome by representatives of the nation’s nine ethnic groups, accompanied by Ministers, regional Administrators, Army commanders and other government officials, as well as religious leaders.
Following the official opening of the Festival, President Isaias visited the different produce on display, education corner, sites of regional quarters and others. Thousands of nationals from different parts of the country are also taking part in the Festival. (more…)
Cameroon: Towards a Well Developed Handicraft
AllAfrica.com, Washington
26 July 2007
Posted to the web 26 July 2007
Lukong Pius Nyuylime
The new law sets out to put the sector in its rightful economic and social perspective.
The hiccups that have hitherto held back the development of craftwork in Cameroon may soon be a thing of the past. On 13 July this year the Head of State promulgated the law regulating the handicraft sector in Cameroon adopted by the National Assembly. The new dispensation will therefore depend on the application of this law. (more…)
Sarawak Handicraft Goes Global Via E-Commerce
Bernama, Malaysia
KUCHING, July 25 (Bernama) — Sarawak wants to encourage handicraft industry players to venture into electronic commerce transactions with branded value-added products to have a competitive edge in the international market.
State Assistant Rural Development Minister Datuk Gramong Juna said today local producers would not only be able to market their craft worldwide but also helped to make the Sarawak handicraft industry to be more competitive in the borderless world of e-commerce via a one-stop e-handicraft mall.
“Competition between local products and those from neighbouring countries will remain part and parcel of the whole enterprise system but we can encourage promote local craft through k-economy and e-commerce initiatives,” he told reporters after launching the Sarawak Craft Council (SCC)’s Sarawak Best Handicraft Website at the Sarawak Tourism Complex here. (more…)
Crafts export showroom in City spotlights nation’s skills
Viet Nam News, Vietnam
(23-07-2007)
HCM CITY — Viet Nam’ s Handicrafts and Craft Villages Show opened last Friday in HCM City as part of a series of activities the city has been creating annually to promote indigenous handicrafts, textile, garments, footwear and food.
The fourth of its kind since the showroom’s launch in 2004, the show includes quality exporters of handicrafts and processed woodwork from the Mekong Delta, and southeastern and northern provinces. (more…)
Jewelry display shaped like bureau
Global Sources, Singapo
China (mainland) – Shenzhen Jufeng Handicraft Co. Ltd is offering model PJJ0005, a jewelry display featuring multiple compartments and drawers.
Designed like a bureau, the product has four drawers and two side doors fitted with hooks. The top drawer features four partitions, and the lid has a rectangular mirror.
The model is made of PU and MDF. It measures 22.9×13.3×25.4cm and weighs 2.6kg (more…)
Siyaha supports 400 local handicraft producers - Jordan
Middle East North Africa Financial Network, Jordan
(MENAFN - Jordan Times) AMMAN (JT) — Siyaha has extended a grant of $78,869 to the Jordan Handicraft Producers Association (JHPA) in a bid to develop the sector and improve the quality of merchandise.
The USAID-funded grant will also support training workshops to develop handicraft skills and products to meet the needs of the tourism sector. It will also fund the launching of a national handicraft awareness campaign to encourage tourists and visitors to purchase genuine handicrafts. (more…)
Kenya: ‘Creating Designs for Chinese Traders to Copy
AllAfrica.com, Washington
Rosalia Omungo
Nairobi
“We are crying,” laments Millicent Otok, as I take a seat next to her at her stall. “Why are you crying?” I enquire. “They come and copy our items,” she says, in reference to Chinese traders in the Kenyan market.
“Sometimes it happens with a camera. They pose as customers and pretend to be taking general pictures,” explains the dealer in handicrafts and jewellery. “The next thing we know, they have duplicated the goods and are trading in them.They are edging us out of business. Soon we will have no customers.”
Kenya is a destination recommended to Chinese tourists. But Otok is one among many Kenyans who are not pleased with the Chinese presence. Unease seems to be rising as Chinese businesspeople become significant players and, in some cases, overtake Kenyan locals. (more…)
Call for sprucing handicraft sector in J&K
Hindu, India
Srinagar, July 18 (PTI): Calling for the strengthening of the handicraft industry in Jammu and Kashmir, a senior Peoples Democratic Party leader on Tuesday said the sector is important for the growth of State’s economy.
Speaking at a seminar at Magam in Baramulla district, the former Jammu and Kashmir Minister, Ghulam Hassan Mir, said the practice of selling non-Kashmiri handicraft products under the Kashmir label by some unscrupulous tradesmen must be stopped. (more…)
China’s craft master has many fans
Xinhua, China
BEIJING, July 17 — Owning an exquisitely handmade folding fan, especially one featuring refined paintings and calligraphy by famed literati, was a status symbol in ancient times. Today, a small population of fan fanatics still cherishes this tradition. And members of this clique flood the home of 75-year-old fan-making master Xu Yilin, in the Taohuawu area of Suzhou, in East China’s Jiangsu Province. (more…)