Anna Ndifon Ting, Daisy Martina, Maurine Akum & Finels Mbabo (ASMAC Journalism Students on Internship at The Post)
The Minister of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts (MINPMEESA), Achille Bassilekin III, has said that approximately 15,000 visitors are expected to attend the 2024 edition of the International Craft Fair of Cameroon (SIARC), which kicks off on July 22.
Minister Bassilekin III made the statement on July 19 during a press conference aimed at outlining Cameroon’s preparedness for the Craft Fair.
“This year, we expect to attract at least 15,000 visitors,” said Achille Bassilekin III, expressing hope for a higher turnout than the previous edition held in 2021. The event will run from July 22 to 31, 2024, at the Esplanade of the National Museum.
Inspired by the National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (NDS30), the 8th International Craft Fair of Cameroon will be celebrated under the theme “Digital Technology: A Tool for the Craft Industry’s Sustainable Development and Craft People’s Global Inclusion.”
Tunisia has been chosen as the guest of honor to enable Cameroon to learn from its expertise in craft creativity and ability to adapt to technological changes. Special delegations will also arrive from Burkina Faso and Congo.
Speaking further, Minister Bassilekin III stated that SIARC is a platform for information sharing, training, and exchanging best practices on the progress, reforms, and public policies implemented to promote the development of the craft ecosystem at both national and international levels.
“The handicraft sector, which the government aims to make competitive and efficient, cannot remain on the sidelines of this global dynamic,” he said. “It will also be an opportunity for craftspeople to make good deals during special purchasing operations for the handicraft products on display.”
For ten days, craftsmen from Cameroon and beyond will showcase their craftsmanship in 510 stands at the National Museum. Craft operators, government officials, businessmen, ICT experts, and journalists will participate in capacity-building workshops. They will also organize conferences and debates to discuss the role of digital technology in the craft industry and its future direction. Craft products from different regions will also be exhibited.
Given that digitalization plays a key role in the economic growth of nations, Minister Bassilekin III noted that MINPMEESA has embarked on modernizing production tools, manufacturing processes, and ultimately product modeling and physical aspects.
He said numerous technological innovations have been implemented to improve the craft industry and advance its technological integration, including the provision of infrastructure. He added that handicraft villages have been established in all regions of the country, with Foumban, Mbalmayo, and the Yaoundé International Handicraft Center standing out due to their high-quality information technology equipment in the process of being connected to fiber optics.
While the Ministry has begun offering capacity-building courses in computer skills and plans to expand these efforts through future collaborations with training institutions, an online marketing and exhibition platform has been created at the Yaoundé International Handicraft Center, among other initiatives.