Produce for international market – Lutfo
By Bongile Mavuso
The Swazi Observer, Swaziland
ENTERPRISE and Employment Minister Lutfo Dlamini has encouraged local handicrafters to produce items for international designer houses.
Speaking during a Handicraft Course graduation ceremony at the Swaziland Trading House (STH) on Friday, the minister said there were a number of business opportunities for local crafters.
Dlamini said the handicraft market was wide but the crafters had to change their mindset and think of business which would make them identify even the slightest opportunity.
He assured them that theirs was a profitable venture, further encouraging them to make a lot of money out of it now that the opportunity had presented itself.
Dlamini noted that even though they had a very unique skill, they were willing to learn and upgrade it, which was a good sign. “There will be a lot of criticism and discrimination from others out there but that should not bring you down. Ensure that you make a lot of money from your skill and be prosperous,†he said.
The minister encouraged local outlets to purchase from the crafters and support the local products instead of importing from other countries goods which were initially produced by Swazis.
He said supporting each other was the best advertising medium for local SMEs and the world would take the local producers seriously if they were assured that the products were also used in their country.
“Exporting all the time without the locals using the products may work against the producers as the international markets would be surprised why we decide to give them our goods when we fail to support our fellow citizens,†he said.
Dlamini encouraged the crafters to always maintain quality standards and deliver on time to the market.