The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs plans to establish a network and platform for local craft producers in order to collaborate with both government and NGOs to access local and international markets.
The Government Information Agency (GINA) quoted Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai as saying that no effort would be spared to set up the network as Amerindian craft producers have a place in the country’s national development policies.

At the time the minister was speaking at an Indigenous Craft Symposium on enhancing the Amerindian handicraft sector in Guyana held under the theme, ‘Industrious and competitive towards obtaining our future successes.’ She said that one of the many expected outcomes of the symposium was to help the ministry initiate more programmes and projects to assist the producers in dealing with developmental challenges.

The symposium brought together 34 Amerindian artisans from across the country and representatives of the nine Amerindian tribes in Guyana. It was intended to usher in the Amerindian women’s participation in Carifesta X and Amerindian Heritage Month Activities in September. The primary focus of this activity is to enhance the capacity of rural women to produce quality products, to create access to markets, and provide new opportunities to support income generation and ultimately contribute to the reduction of poverty.

Other issues discussed at the symposium included skills for success, adding value to Amerindian handicraft and guidance for competing in the local and regional markets, basic marketing skills, book-keeping and profit and loss, among others. The second phase of the programme will be held on September 2, with Minister within the Ministry of Education Dr Desrey Fox and a representative of the Commonwealth Secretariat leading the discussions.

According to GINA the meeting was held in collaboration with the ministry, the Commonwealth Secretariat and Iwokrama. Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues, Fox, representatives from the Secretariat and Iwokrama attended the symposium.