Stakeholders in the sector converged on Douala last Friday, December 6, for their annual conference.

 During the recent Regional Art and Handicraft fair in Douala, regrouping operators based in the Littoral, 32 out of the 40 exhibitors were retained to represent the Region at the national level. They are creators of artistic works like furniture, textile, jewellery and food processing, amongst others.

However, it has been noticed that though they operate in the same trade, the disparities existing between these actors are very wide. These range from the products’ quality, the sale price, work experience and visibility in the market, causing some artistes to be more prominent than the others. Meanwhile, those dealing with the commercialisation of artistic products benefit more to the detriment of the producers.

In is in this light that a one-day conference held at the Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Social Handicrafts, last Friday, December 6, in a bid to identify actors in the handicraft sector alongside existing enterprises, so as to seek sustainable solutions towards their follow-up by the State.

The overall objectives were to brainstorm on restructuring the economic activity, harmonise prices for products, create a Cameroonian label, exchange experience and promote job creation among youths, according to the National President of Handicraft Actors’ Group, Hippolite Blaise Bodi.