Handicrafts World News

Re impact: Special package for labour-intensive sectors sought
Hindu Business Line, India
M.R. Subramani
Vishwanath Kulkarni

Bangalore, Oct. 30 The Commerce Ministry has approached the Finance Ministry seeking a special package for the plantation, leather, handicraft and textile sectors to tide over the problems caused by the rupee’s appreciation against the dollar.

“I have spoken to the Finance Ministry and approached the Prime Minister on the need to work out a package for the labour-intensive sectors,” said Mr Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister of State for Commerce.

The package has been sought for three reasons. Firstly, these sectors are labour intensive. Secondly, they are competing in a price-sensitive atmosphere, and lastly, these sectors are not dependent on imports (more…)

Brazil : Petroleum waste buttress handicraft sector
October 29, 2007
Fibre2fashion.com, India

A wide collection of purses, lighting fixtures, costume jewelry and panels created from petroleum residue were put on display last week, by a group of emerging artisans.

Most of these innovatively designed artworks are contrived using materials, which would have otherwise been discarded as waste.

The first set of items was showcased on October 23 during the 16th Industrial Outsourcing and Integration Fair at Caxias do Sul. (more…)

eBay expects e-commerce users in Gujarat to double
Business Standard, India

BS Reporter / Mumbai/ Ahmedabad October 26, 2007
Recognising the rapid growth of e-commerce entrepreneurship in Gujarat’s tier II and tier III cities, eBay India has decided to focus on the state as a global sourcing hub for diamonds, apparel, furnishings and handicraft.

As per company estimates, the Indian e-commerce market is likely to be worth Rs 1105 crore in 2007-08, when the company aims to have a 34 per cent market share.

The top cities from Gujarat involved in e-commerce through eBay are Ahmedabad, Surat, Sibhor, Rajkot, Vadodara and Bhavnagar. (more…)

Need to patent local handicraft, says Karim
Daily Express, Malaysia

MATUNGGONG: Local handicraft needs to be patented to counter unscrupulous quarters who mass produce these items as their own and sell them cheaply.

Tourism, Culture and Environment Assistant Minister, Datuk Karim Hj. Bujang, who made the call, said the local industry would be in jeopardy if the authenticity of the handicraft are not protected through patented rights.

“We have to look into this possibility of registering our handicraft as intellectual property so that the quality and the art work of our people are safeguarded and not easily imitated by money-making opportunists (more…)

Handicraft village suffocates Da Nang schools
Thanh Nien Daily, Vietnam

Ngoc Lan Kindergarten is bombarded from all sides by stone dust
Students at several Da Nang schools have trouble breathing and listening through all the dust and noise created by nearby handicraft villages.
Mai Dang Chon Primary School used to be famous for its beautiful and quiet location. But the emergence of the nearby Non Nuoc Stone Handicraft Village has shrouded the neighborhood in a distracting cacophony of noise and thick haze of dust. (more…)

‘Buyer-seller meet promotes brand Kashmir’
GreaterKashmir.com (press release), India
BILAL HUSSAIN

Srinagar, Oct 24: The international buyer-seller meet at SKICC is a primary step towards organizing prospective trade promotional meets here, believes KCCI.
About 50 stalls offer a profuse of collection of Kashmir art including papier machie, chainstitch, crewel embroidery, tapestry, namdas, kani shawls, carpets, woodcarving and copper ware.
The trade expo has jointly been organized by KCCI, state government and J&K Bank.
“The whole event is expected to cost on account of to-and-fro travel fare of buyers from Delhi, their lodging, boarding, sight seeing etc, not more than Rs 60 lakhs,” President KCCI, Dr Mubeen Shah said. (more…)

Cuba : American handicraft fair kicks off
October 23, 2007
Fibre2fashion.com, India

American Handicraft Fair that started yesterday in Holguin province is sponsored by Cuba’s Cultural Property Fund and will carry on till October 28.
The event witnesses the presence of representatives from Europe and Latin America. (more…)

Ibero American Handicraft Fair Opens in Cuba
Cuba News, Cuba

Havana, Oct 22 (acn) The 8th Ibero American Handicraft Fair “Iberoarte” opened on Monday in the Cuban eastern province of Holguin and will run until October 28 with the participation of representatives from Europe and Latin America.

The event, which includes fashion parades and book launches, will be attended by artisans from Peru, Guatemala, Mexico, Spain, Ecuador and Venezuela, along with members of Cuba’s Cultural Property Fund, the organization that sponsors the Fair.

Handicrafts made from wood, paper, vegetal fiber, ceramics, metal, glass and wax will be exhibited at the Fair which is part of the program for the Ibero American Culture Season taking place in Holguin, 743 kilometers east from Havana.

The Iberoarte Grand Prix, as well as other awards including acknowledgments for the best stand and to the best tradition, will be granted to the best works by a jury made up of prominent artists. (more…)

India : Mizoram handicraft exports given leverage
October 22, 2007
Fibre2fashion.com, India

Copious measures have been taken on part of the Mizoram Government to substantially increase its exports of handlooms and handicrafts. This initiative is being supported by a marked growth in demand from overseas buyers has also been noticed.

Keeping in line with this objective, the Indian textile ministry has come up with a three year plan to internationally market handloom and handicraft items that range from traditional shawls to wall hangers (more…)

Ministry seeking Caricom recognition for youth skills training programme
Sunday, October 21st 2007
Stabroek News, Guyana

Fifty-eight youths last week completed a six-month Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training Programme which will equip them with the skills to seek employment, create their own businesses and pursue further studies in their desired fields.

The programme, a Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport initiative, was hosted at the Sophia Training Centre and offered a roster of courses including Catering, Office Administration and Information Technology, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Welding and Fabrication and Handicraft. It targets school dropouts and those who did not do well at school. The programme offers participants a second chance at progressing in life. (more…)