NCC to uplift local handicraft industry
by Apeksha Senadheera
The local handicrafts industry has shown a
slight slump in recent times mainly due to the dip in tourism.
According to the National Crafts Council (NCC)
Chairman Buddi Keerthisena, handicrafts industry performs
simultaneously with the Tourism industry and tourists have been
the main buyers of the local handicraft products.
The NCC has taken steps to promote handicrafts
among general public and the handicrafts exhibition held
recently at the Viharamahadevi Park was an initiative towards
that.
"We wanted to test the local demand for
handicrafts and it was really good. The exhibitors were able to
sell most of their products," said Keerthisena speaking to
The Island Financial Review.
Meanwhile, NCC intends to have a number of craft
fairs in the future in a bid to provide the handicrafts
producers with a good market.
The next handicrafts fair is to be held in the
National Arts Gallery form August 18-21, and it is expected to
showcase the quality handicrafts produced by rural craftsmen.
"The country has talented craftsmen but they are
unable to find the potential market and these exhibitions will
be helpful to them," said Keerthisena.
The NCC supports the handicrafts industry by
providing infrastructure facilities, raw material, marketing
places in order to improve the industry.
