2024-08-27 05:15:58
Last week, Congo-Brazzaville hosted the second edition of the Congo International Crafts Fair (FIAC). The opportunity is given to artisans from the Congo and throughout Africa to exchange and do business, although the sector is still more valuable in national economies.
From our correspondent in Brazzaville,
Wilfried Itoua, a 44-year-old Congolese, came to show his handicraft products on the ground, near the monument built in memory of the old French explorer, Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza. The site, right in the heart of the city, is home to an international art fair Congo. Wilfried primarily offers products made with grass from the Congo savannah.
« Items found here are chairs, accessories for women, baskets and lamps, African lamps made of grass », the artist explained.
A few meters back, Chad Chantal Matteul presented many products including those made from echebe, a plant that makes women’s hair grow. ” We come to represent Chad with everything that Chad professionals do, starting with dyed clothes, handmade clothes, hair products made from ebebe and shea butter, he testified. Apart from doing business, we come to show our talent. »
The challenges of statistics and the protection of players
On the continent, crafts alone have more than 200 occupations. However, to manage it properly, many challenges must be met, according to Jacqueline Lydia Mikolo, the Congolese minister in charge of the complex. ” We have a challenge to take over for the intellectual property of our crafts, we have a challenge to take in terms of our artisans’ money. “, he revealed.
Another challenge: that of the protection of workers in the sector, especially with regard to social security and health insurance. We need ” to protect our artisans so they can produce in peace for our residents », the minister emphasized.
Recognized as a sector that promotes growth and provides jobs, African arts however lacks reliable statistical studies. ” There are few studies on the true contribution of the arts to the GDP of our countries », Rerets Moussa Moïse Sylla, Minister of Guinea Conakry in charge of art. ” If you do serious research, you will find that after the agricultural sector, the craft sector is the one that employs the most. “, he believes. A biennial event, the International Crafts Fair brings together at least 2,000 participants this year.
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