Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) has added 103 Abaco artisans to the growing craft industry as the new multi million dollar craft market downtown Nassau nears completion.
And, construction of a virtual market place in cyberspace from where Bahamian artisans can sell their products over the Internet to anyone in the world has started, it was confirmed.
Utilising ingredients found in the local environment, participants from Moore’s Island, Sandy Point, Crossing Rocks, and Marsh Harbour last weekend showed off their creative skills during graduation ceremonies for them.
They produced a variety of figurines, jewellery, bags, hats, utensils, paper-weights, key chains, and other items.
“I am so impressed by what they have done,” said BAIC executive chairman Edison M Key. “The quality of the products is fantastic.
“That tells me what a promising future is in store for these people once they can sell these products regularly.
“It is going to make a big difference for them being able to earn a living from right from their homes.”
Some 2,000 persons throughout the islands have taken courses in Bahamian craft and souvenir creation hosted by BAIC’s Handicraft Development and Marketing Department.
The result of all this, he said, can be the creation of a major industry in The Bahamas.
Mr. Key urged artisans to tap into the $300 million used to import souvenir and craft items for residents and tourists.
“Imagine what it would do for the economy if just a third of that was spent in support of the local craft and souvenir industry,” he said. “Firstly, it would put a huge dent in unemployment.”
While craft creation is presently dominated by women, Mr. Key recognised the contribution of Reno Smith of Moore’s Island whose bird creations out of shells add a new dimension to the Bahamian brand.
And, in an effort to attract more men to the industry, BAIC is offering courses in wood turning.
Material for the craft centre and farmers market for downtown Marsh Harbour has started to arrive and the structure should take form over the next six weeks, said Mr. Key.
As the multi-million dollar craft centre downtown Nassau nears completion, debate rages as to whether only authentically Bahamian made products should be sold there.
“If the government really puts the emphasis on ‘authentically Bahamian’, I can see that being a huge impetus for the development of our craft and souvenir industry.”
BAIC’s assistant general manager for handicraft, Donnalee Bowe confirmed that work has started on opening markets online for Bahamian artisans.
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) had executed a $500,000 grant to launch the Bahamian handicraft industry into cyberspace.
Signed between the IDB and Bahamas Chamber of Commerce in partnership with BAIC it will allow artisans to do business online when fully operational.
The strategy of the project is to develop a programme that complements the government’s effort to rally the industry around a structured approach to the establishment of industry standards, marketing, and addressing the over-reliance on imports.
Its primary focus will be the development and launch of a virtual platform with functionalities to support and facilitate the marketing, sales, and distribution of Bahamian manufactured handcraft souvenirs via the Internet.
“This will modernise the way we sell our products to the world,” said Ms Bowe. “The ability for Bahamian artisans to sell their products online is a significant advance.
“On a daily basis we can see remarkable improvements in the quality and variety of products produced by our artisans.”
By Gladstone Thurston
Bahamas Information Services
