Artifacts producers to use innovations for market exports.
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Kenya
Written By:Emmanuel Toili , Posted: Mon, Aug 27, 2007
Crafts and Textiles produced locally for commercial purposes require novel designs to compete in the European Union – EU markets.
The Export Promotion Council Supply Chain Development Manager, Lucy Waithaka says the market is demanding new handicrafts products that will require innovative designs in meeting specific seasonal niche.
The handicraft market managed to hit the 600 million shillings mark last year from product exports up from 500 million shillings in 2005.
However, common features affecting handicraft entrepreneurs are enormous obstacles in obtaining financial loans for market expansion and the lack of product creativity.
While speaking at a Textile and Commercial Sectors Product Development Workshop, Waithaka said the export council will conduct a three phase short term consultancy program on product innovation and a pilot marketing of handicraft products to determine the market niche.
Artifact producers are however required to patent indigenous products with the Kenya Industrial Property Institute – KIPI.