Forty-seven more artisans’ products and handicrafts have been enhanced after receiving the Fijian Made and Buy Fijian Campaign’s Fijian Crafted licence.

Through this, their products now come under the brand ‘Fijian Crafted’, one of Government’s initiatives to lift the profile of Fijian Made products in the local and international market.

They received their licence yesterday at the Vodafone Arena in Suva during the opening of the National Craft Exhibition in line with the 2017 Vodafone Hibiscus Festival.

29 in the group come from the Eastern division and have been closely guided by the Fiji Arts Council.

Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa said: “This exhibition is aimed to raise the profile of emerging and established craft practitioners who are registered members of the Fiji Arts Council and the Fiji Craft Society.”

She said it is also a platform where traditional and contemporary artisans are given the opportunity to promote their work, gain recognition, participate in the market place, income generation and make an even greater contribution towards the cultural industries in Fiji.

Mrs Vuniwaqa encouraged the artisans to continue to strive for excellence and this will be reflected in the quality of their products.

“Quality products help maintain customer satisfaction and loyalty, reducing the risk and cost of replaced flawed products.”

Ms Vuniwaqa said the Ministry has just embarked on an initiative where for the first time, there will be a production of the Women Artisan and Product Catalog.

The catalog will market the products (traditional and contemporary) and will also expose the custodians of the products which are Rural Women Artisan themselves.

Mr Vuniwaqa says this will be a marketing tool and strategy to connect women to markets, not only at the national level but also at the regional and international level.

One of the ‘Fijian Crafted’ licence’ recipient from Ovalau, Mereoni Madanaivalu said: “It is always important to encourage women that they do have skills and talent to help support their husband and family.”

The event also saw the recognition of outstanding artistic achievements which was conducted by the Fiji Arts Council.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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