IN the hope of increasing market opportunities for handicraft makers in Vanua Levu, a group of stakeholders yesterday met with potential marketing agents.
Representatives from the National Heritage Culture and Arts, Fiji Arts Council, iTaukei Institute of Language and Culture and the Labasa Multi Cultural Centre met with officials from the Northern Development Program and Investment Fiji to discuss marketing opportunities.
National Heritage officer Sipiriano Nemani said the discussion was fruitful.
"This visit is a scoping mission for us to meet with stakeholders and discuss possibilities of setting up markets in Macuata where women can supply their handicraft items to.
"It is also a visit to follow up on cultural projects in Macuata including cultural enhancement that started between 2009 to 2010 on kuta weaving," Mr Nemani said. "The projects are to revive the art of kuta weaving and while we are here, we are looking at other handicraft items as well."
Handicraft training is also being held in Labasa where groups of women are taught to make certain artefacts. Mr Nemani said the training was to ensure that a lot of women knew how to make certain handicraft items and maintain consistent market supply.