2023-08-30 00:14:59
« Congolese crafts: youth and jobs », is the theme of the 3rd edition of the Salon des métiers du bois (Samed) in Brazzaville. The opportunity for a hundred craftsmen to show how to shape this precious raw material, a real source of jobs, wood being the second sector of the Congolese economy.
From our correspondent in Brazzaville
Place du jardin des droits de l’homme, in the center of Brazzaville. This is the space chosen by Congolese craftsmen to erect their stands and display their various products, mainly made from wood species taken from the rich Congolese forests. Magloire Ndassa, 32, sculpts an elephant: “ He is a gentle animal. Foreigners love this animal. That’s the elephant cheating in the air, a sign of happiness, explains the sculptor. I use gray ebony, a very rare precious wood in the world that we find here in Congo “, adds the craftsman.
Exaucée Samba holds a stand of personalized objects: portraits and wood engravings: ” We mainly use four species: anigré, bilinga, sapelli and wenge or ironwood. It’s the wood that comes from the north. They are in fact the waste or leftovers of big business. We are somewhat in the perspective of environmental protection. We do recycling. We try to give a second life to this waste instead of it polluting nature “says Ms. Samba.
And the Congo a banned at the beginning of the year the export of logs, i.e. tree trunks with bark. According to the General Directorate of Forest Economy, this policy aims to create added value, to strengthen the contribution of wood to GDP, and therefore to the national economy. The country officially has about sixty processing units which should experience growth with this new policy and the arrival of new investors.
A growing sector
The second sector of the Congolese economy, wood currently provides 14,000 jobs. Jacqueline Lydia Mikolo is Minister of SMEs and Crafts: ” The timber industry offers a wide range of opportunities in Africa in general and in Congo in particular. Many of the items presented here at the Show have already been sold. That means it’s a buoyant sector. We can generate wealth and employment. And, contribute to the diversification of our economy “, she analyzes.
The State creates an environment conducive to the development of artisans, according to Mireille Opa, Director General of the National Crafts Agency: “ There is already a law of the country which requires that state buildings be decorated or adorned with the works of Congolese artisans. “, she says.
Six other countries from the continent took part in the 3rd edition of the Métiers du Bois in Brazzaville. Madagascar was the guest of honor at this show.
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