Localartisans have been urged to open provincial showrooms and to create global networks to expand their market and improve earnings for members.

According to the Minister for Trade and Industry, Francois Kanimba, widening the local market and export trade is the way to go to ensure maximum benefit for artisans.

Kanimba, who was speaking at the end of the regional exhibition at Gikondo Expo Grounds in Kigali on June 21, pledged government’s support to achieve this objective.

The expo attracted the best artisans from Rwanda and Uganda. Tanzania, Kenya and Burundi did not attend.

During the ceremony, Indashyikirwa Crafts Association Rwanda (ICAR) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry awarded 68 local and three Ugandan artisans who emerged best in eight categories, including painting and sculptures, leather processing, textile, weaving, wood work, agro-processing.

Rwandan participants were drawn from winners of the 5th edition of the Handcraft Excellence Award Programme (HEAP) that ended on Saturday.

While handing over certificates to the top exhibitors, Kanimba lauded ICAR for a job well done and promised government’s continued support to the handicraft sector to make it more competitive.

The expo was the second to be organised by ICAR and the first one at the regional level. The previous three editions were organised by trade and industry ministry.

"I promise you 10 stands at the forthcoming annual trade fair at Gikondo Expo Grounds so that you showcase your products and network to improve your market.

Speaking at the function, Paulin Rugero, the chairperson of Chamber of Crafts, Artists and Artisans at Private Sector Federation, urged craft-makers to improve their trade and make it more professional.

Rugero, who doubles as the president of ICAR, said they are working with embassies to open handicraft markets abroad.

ICAR has a membership of over 300 artisans.

"Ikaze Showroom has helped us make over Rwf50 million in past two years; artisans in the City of Kigali have also opened another shop, thanks to Andrew Mutangana, owner of Hilltop Hotel, who gave them a free showroom and Rwf1 million as start-up capital,” he said.

Bbira Bbosa, the chairman of the East African Confederation of Informal Sector Organisations - Uganda Chapter, said the competition was educative, noting that the Ugandan group learnt a lot from the fair.

"We are taking this lesson to our Minister for Trade and Industry in order to have a similar fair in Uganda to showcase the country’s potential,” he said.

Lucia Namubiru, the managing director of Lunas Entreprises and one of the Ugandans who emerged among the best regional tailors, vowed to work harder to expand her business.

Jean Marie Vianney Nsabimana, a furniture maker, said the contest improved his skills, thanks to the training participants received at the beginning of the expo.

Meanwhile, Rugero said a public auction is being organised for the best artisans to sell their products. He urged them to make better items to win more clients.

Speaking at a news conference earlier last week, Kanimba said the regional artisans’ competition was intended to promote innovation in the handicraft sector.