BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE- The Handicraft Sector is in the process of being formalised.
Through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, the Handicraft Sector will soon be formalised.
The ministry is doing this through developing Eswatini’s first ever Handicraft Sector Policy, which is being done in collaboration with Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre (ESEPARC).
This was publicly revealed yesterday through an advert, where the ministry was calling on the public to make a contribution in the making of the policy. The advert was on ESEPARC’S social media pages.
The advert stated that the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, under the Handicraft Department, was in the process of developing a ‘National Handicraft and Creative Sector Policy’.
“The ministry, through ESEPARC, would like to engage with you (the public) to discuss ways in which the country can improve the handicraft sector to increase its overall contribution to social and economic development.
“ESEPARC, on behalf of the ministry, will be undertaking a series of stakeholder consultations and would like to gather your views and opinion,” read the advert.
The public’s views can be shared on knowledge@separc.co.sz or ESEPARC social media pages. Physical consultations will be carried out from September 19 to September 30, 2022.
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo confirmed the development of the Handicraft and Creative Sector Policy, saying they were excited to embark on this new journey.
“Our aim is to improve the quality of handicraft in the country- so that our products reach international standards. The end in sight here is that local handicraft is eventually exported internationally.
“Also, our aim with developing this policy is to build an organised structure for the sector. We want to make it organised and to create sub-sectors, as we know that handicraft is diverse. As is, the sector is a bit informal,” said Khumalo.
The minister also said they were hoping that the underway policy would encourage formal training for future aspiring handicraftsmen.
Questions to be answered:
- How should Eswatini shape its Handicraft Sector Policy?
- What policy direction should Eswatini follow to develop the Handicraft Sector?
- What are the key development issues that should be addressed by the policy?
can i have the presentation that was done after the opening remarks, (handcraft sector policy presentation)