NORTHERN PROVINCE GAKENKE — The Rural Small and Micro Enterprises Promotion project (PPMER), last Friday, commissioned the first artisan centre in Gakenke District, along the Kigali-Ruhengeri road. The Rwf20 million complex was constructed by PPMER in partnership with the government and the district authorities to provide a centre where hand made craft products can be marketed. PPMER officials told The New Times, that all craft items produced from this region are primarily based on natural materials. Non toxic dyes are also used in order to satisfy the international quality standards. At the opening ceremony, officials from the province and the district called upon artisans to embrace art and crafts making as an economic activity to supplement farming. Bernadette Nyiratebuka, the art and Craft items coordinator in the district, said the new building will help artisans’ association to display their products for the purposes of ensuring better sales in order to guarantee fair distribution of income among the members. Some of the products will include Rwanda’s famous sisal baskets-Agaseke, bracelets, napkin rings and bowls. Ends
