Zimpapers Logo

Kiyapili Sibanda, Business Reporter
THE three-day 9th annual Co-ordination Committee for Development and Promotion of African Handicraft (Codepa) conference kicks off at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds in Bulawayo today.

Representatives from 26 member states are expected to attend the event, which is hosted by the Ministry of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Co-operative Development.

Codepa is an inter-African legal entity whose head office is based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. It focuses on consultation, reflection and actions framework for the development, promotion and co-ordination of handicraft programmes within its African members.

Member states are spread over the five regions of Africa and these are Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Tunisia and Zimbabwe.

SMEs and Co-operative Development Ministry representative, Mr Billit Chaderopa, said each country will be represented by three delegates.

“Each country will be represented by three delegates, that is, minister in charge of handicraft affairs or a representative duly appointed, director of handicraft affairs and a representative of craft workers. Sadc and Comesa countries who are non-members were invited and are expected to attend. The Conference will also be attended by representatives of African Institutions with interest in handicraft development and handicraft organisations,” he said.

Mr Chaderopa said the handicraft industry was one of the vehicles that can be used to attain goal eight of the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Promotion and development of the handicraft industry is one of the vehicles that can be used to attain goal eight of the Sustainable Development Goals, which is to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all,” he said.

Mr Chaderopa called for crafting of development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalisation and growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

He said handicraft was one of the biggest forms of non-agricultural employment especially for women and youth in rural areas.

The conference is set to provide a platform to member states to meet and share knowledge on the importance of marketing and facilitating market development and access for the arts and handicrafts sector through exhibitions.

Meanwhile, Mr Chaderopa said there was also going to be a ministers’ meeting on Friday, which will be preceded by an experts’ meeting.

@Kiyaz_Cool