Over 50 handcraft artisans were, yesterday, awarded with medals, certificates and cash prizes during the 1st Handcraft Excellence Award that was initiated to encourage innovation and provide Market Access Opportunities for Rwandan products.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, François Kanimba, urged the artisans to be inventive, innovative and create quality products. He further promised to get them somewhere to exhibit their products.

"I am going to work with my team soon to get you a place for the exhibition of your artistic work. This will give you more exposure and market for your products thus encouraging you to be more creative and hard working,” Kanimba said.

He said the awards will also be given more often in a bid to encourage handcrafts business and promote it to international levels.

The minister further noted that the artisans need to be recognized for their great work so as to build their capacity and that of the industry.

Awards were given top provincial national handcraft winners, exporters, fashion show winners and certificates to members of the jury.

Naboth Kamili, a fan of handcraft products who attended the ceremony, said that this was a great initiative to build the industry.

"This ceremony is the first of its kind. Makers of handcrafts have been empowered and have something to work towards,” said Kamili.

He added that the event was a motivation that’s going to lead to the growth of the handcraft industry in the country.

Kamili noted that before, it was just foreigners who appreciated handcrafts, but it is now encouraging to see that Rwandans have now woken up to appreciate their own beauty and creativity.

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