Handicraft Sector Poised for Further Development

Contact: Tesa St. Ange  

Wednesday, February 14, 2001 - A national strategy for the development of the handicraft sector is currently being devised. This will involve training for practicing artisans in the sector organised by the St. Lucia Heritage Tourism Programme, the Small Enterprise Development Unit, and the National Research and Development Foundation.

The series of six workshops, which get under way next week, will cover such topics as Design, Innovation and Functionality, Woodcarving, Marketing and Organization, and Handicraft as a Business. The first workshop on Design, Innovation and Functionality will cover the related topics of new product development, poor designs, limited creativity, designing for market requirements, practicability of items for tourist purchase, awareness of international quality design, range and innovation. 

According to Lindell Archibald, Project Officer at the St. Lucia Heritage Tourism Programme, the training initiative intends to assist craftsmen in meeting the needs of a more discerning tourist market. There have been complaints among consumers about the price, quality and the lack of innovation in the craftwork designs produced where more effort is placed on the production of tee shirts at the expense of woodwork and clays.

The OAS funded workshops begin from February 19^th and will be facilitated by World Bank consultant, Amnu Ratta.  Each course will be opened to a maximum of twenty-five participants who are encouraged to enter the entire series of 3-4 courses. Consultants are also developing a three-year plan where the institutional and training needs of the handcraft sector will be the responsibility of a specific body.

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