The vice-president of the organizing committee of the 17th edition of the Ouagadougou International Crafts Fair (SIAO), Oumarou Barro, reassured, Thursday, that arrangements are being made by the Defense and Security Forces (FDS), for the holding of the Fair in complete peace.
“As far as security is concerned, I can assure you that all arrangements have been made by our valiant Defense and Security Forces for the holding of the Show in complete peace of mind,” reassured the Secretary General of the Ministry in charge of Handicrafts, Oumarou Barro.
Barro, also vice-president of the SIAO organizing committee, spoke to media representatives on Thursday in Ouagadougou about the state of preparations for the said fair.
He indicated that the sister Republics of Mali and Niger are special guests of this biennial of African crafts.
The choice of these countries aims to highlight the rich artisanal, tourist and cultural heritage of the community space that is the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), he explained.
As
innovations, Oumarou Barro cited among others, the new digital platform called “e-SIAO”, the “AES Village”, the “living workshops” and the play areas for children.
“We have registered more than 2,000 exhibitors spread across the air-conditioned and ventilated pavilions. More than 80% of the stands have already been reserved out of the 700 stands,” said the Secretary General.
For the general director of SIAO, Mariam Traoré/Ouédraogo, on the choice of theme, entrepreneurship has no borders.
“In crafts, you can be an entrepreneur. The ideal is for young people to undertake in the direction of crafts and even more jobs instead of going to the request for jobs at all times where diplomas are stagnated but there are really no jobs,” she added.
Ms. Traoré continued that crafts are a vast field that is open to all young people on all levels and, according to her, they can really undertake crafts and be even more autonomous.
Regarding support for resilience, the general director reassured that a dynamic is underw
ay on all levels to facilitate the participation of all artisans.
“Every year, SIAO creates regional pools, which provide stands to all 13 regions in order to present their innovation and know-how at the regional level,” explained Mariam Traoré/Ouédraogo.
At the regional level, she argued that there are governors who are engaging with regional councils to mobilize resources to support artisans.
The 17th edition of SIAO will be held from October 25 to November 3, 2024 under the theme ‘African crafts, youth entrepreneurship and empowerment’.
Source: Burkina Information Agency