Burkina Faso opened on Friday the 17th edition of the Ouagadougou International Crafts Fair (SIAO), a week-long framework for promoting the diversity of African crafts.
“Crafts contribute to more than 20% of the continent’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employ more than 60 million people, mostly young people,” said the Minister in charge of Crafts Serge Poda, who read the speech of the Head of State, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
According to him, crafts, which constitute an essential source of income for many households, are an essential lever for growth and poverty reduction.
The minister spoke on Friday in Ouagadougou, during the official opening ceremony of the 17th edition of the Ouagadougou International Crafts Fair (SIAO), in the presence of the President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
He also pointed out that the sector is facing significant challenges, accentuated by the security crisis affecting several countries in the sub-region, including Burkina Faso.
“This situation of vulnerability has di
srupted the socio-economic fundamentals and particularly impacted the productive sectors, notably crafts, due to the massive displacement of populations and the reduction in marketing opportunities for craft products,” he declared.
Serge Poda argued that despite a security context marked by terrorist attacks and multiple attempts to paint Burkina Faso red, the country has once again succeeded in bringing together delegations from Africa and elsewhere to celebrate the richness of African crafts.
According to him, the commitment, determination and courage of the fighting forces on the ground made it possible to inflict “heavy losses” on the enemy and to maintain the security necessary and indispensable for holding this event.
He also explained that artisans face many difficulties, including access to financing and international markets, the lack of qualifying and professional training, as well as unfair competition.
The head of the department in charge of crafts noted that despite these challenges, Burkina
Faso has been able to put in place dynamic initiatives to support and promote the sector.
The minister also paid a vibrant tribute to the special guest countries of this 17th edition, Mali and Niger, brother countries of the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States.
The patron of the ceremony, the president of the Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT), Dr Ousmane Bougouma, expressed his gratitude to the Burkinabe for their sacrifice and to the government for all the actions that have helped to resist adversity of all kinds in Burkina.
Dr Bougouma stressed that after 34 years of existence, the SIAO mobilizes participants from all four corners of the world at each edition.
“Crafts, which are a key factor in the structural transformation of the country’s economy, deserve special attention and substantial support,” he added.
As a reminder, the 17th edition of SIAO is placed under the theme “African crafts, youth entrepreneurship and empowerment”. It will be held from October 25 to November 3, 2024 in
Ouagadougou.
Source: Burkina Information Agency