Prime Minister calls for resuscitation of bamboo craft industry - presents soaking tank to bamboo craft maker

Georgetown, GINA, July 3, 2012 -- Source - GINA

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, performing the functions of President, hands over a large soaking tank to a member of the Guyana Arts and Crafts Producers Association, Michael Alleynne

As part of the efforts by the Administration to revitalise the local craft industry, using bamboo, a plant that grows profusely in Guyana,  Prime Minister Samuel Hinds performing the functions of President today handed over a large soaking tank to Michael Alleyne, a member of the Guyana Arts and Crafts Producers Association.

Prime Minister Hinds at the presentation ceremony at the National Exhibition Centre, Sophia said that the tank given to Alleyne will help to complement the training he received in 2004 during a bamboo craft training programme by the Governments of China and Guyana.

Alleyne of Friendship, East Bank Demerara has been practicing the art of bamboo craft, which requires a lot of skills for more than two decades. Among his pieces are soap dishes, jewel containers, chairs and tables.

“We had a training effort both locally and abroad and it has not taken off as we expected…we need to correct this,” Prime Minister Hinds said. In this regard, he is urging persons to be more proactive in taking the sector to greater levels.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds sharing a light moment with members of the Guyana Arts and Crafts Producers Association

“We need to diversify our economy and in so doing we must be prepared to put our hands and heads together…we should be looking at utilising other local materials also in the craft industry,” Mr. Hinds noted. Against this background, he said the industry is poised to takeoff and thus stakeholders should work toward that common goal. The recipient  expressed gratitude to Government for the assistance.