GCU: The Solomon Islands Government has begun dialogue with donors to explore the possibility of co-funding a craft market facility to help the country’s crafts men and women to market their products.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is collaborating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade to lead the dialogue process with donors and other key government ministries and tourism stakeholders at a workshop in Honiara, Tuesday.
The workshop aims to inform participants of the Government’s desire to build a crafts market center in Honiara which is aimed at providing a proper facility to promote the country’s unique arts and crafts and at the same time empower locals to gain economic benefits.
“Solomon Islands has some of the unique and finest arts and crafts in the pacific region which we can use as a product to attract tourists into the country. We need to further explore and nurture this industry to ensure our crafts men and women gain economic benefits from this industry,” said Director of Culture, Mr Dennis Marita in his presentation.
Mr Marita informed participants of a concept design of the facility to be located at the perimeter fencing surrounding the National Art Gallery grounds.
The concept design was the first phase of the project which was funded by the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) under the Solomon Islands Tourism for Inclusive Development Project administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Andrew Nihopara who chaired the workshop said the dialogue process will continue from yesterday’s workshop and he hopes the project will become a success in the near future.
Participants were drawn from key government Ministries, donor representatives from the Taiwanese Embassy, the Japanese Embassy and the New Zealand High Commission. Others were invited from private tourism operators.
– Government Communications Unit