Jagdeo pledges Gy$20M to revive arts and crafts industry

Arts and craft is a dying trade in Guyana, with the teaching of basic craft skills being ignored in the education system and professionals struggling to earn a reasonable livelihood.

These issues were addressed by President Bharrat Jagdeo at a meeting with members of the Guyana Arts and Craft Producers Association (GACPA) on April 07th at the International Convention Centre. After listening to the many problems besetting the industry, the president pledged Gy$10 million to set up a matching grants fund for craftspeople, who have limited access to financing from banking institutions and other financing bodies.

Government spends approximately Gy$100 million a year in support of arts and craft. A further Gy$10 million was pledged to assist the GACPA to set up an office to conduct its activities. The building for the GACPA office, located west of the Pegasus Hotel, is to be rehabilitated and furnished with this sum.

The Gy$10 million fund will be available to all craft producers. The fund will be set up in a few weeks’ time and will be administered by trained personnel. Jagdeo cautioned, though, that the fund is to be a national, repayable fund for all producers, and its use is not to be biased. The terms are a little looser than what obtains in the banking sector, and those who have been disqualified from a banking loan will be eligible for consideration. The building to be rehabilitated will be ready for habitation in a few weeks’ time.

The GACPA represents 250 members countrywide; and of this amount, some members are actually from craft associations located in different geographical areas in the country. The arts and craft sector has the ability to earn as much as Gy$200 million a year in revenue, but there are several barriers that prevent producers from tapping in, GACPA President Mrs Osbourne told the gathering. Guyana Stores and Church View Gift Shop in Berbice are the major buyers of craft from the organisation, she disclosed. She is hoping that the intervention made by President Jagdeo will help to make the sector more viable for its producers.

President Jagdeo said the meeting with the GACPA was intended to fulfill his promise of providing a building; but after hearing their financial plight, the further pledges of funding were made. These all are efforts to promote development to further expand the sector, Jagdeo said. While being frank about the challenges faced by the industry, Jagdeo told producers to stick to the home market and to be economically smart in producing. “We have to understand our market and (its) nuances: what is buoyant and what is not; and what is more in demand. We have to ensure we don’t over- supply, undersupply, or make the market unbalanced. This is important to every growing industry,” Jagdeo, an economist, noted.

He added that a local information system was needed, so that producers could know the market dynamics and make viable decisions, especially those producers who were under loan commitments. Jagdeo urged the GACPA members to continue playing their role in diversifying the economy.

Increased disposable income, acceptance of local produce, and access to resources and funding were areas highlighted by President Jagdeo as needing to change so that the industry can further grow and develop. “If the market is to grow, then you have to get more disposable income. If this doesn’t grow, arts and craft will stagnate.”

He was optimistic, though, that as more disposable income circulates, people’s interests and tastes would change. The overseas market has been a viable option for local craftspeople, but with the crippling worldwide financial crises, that market has narrowed even as tourists to the Caribbean – major customers — dwindled over the past three years.

He pointed out that, over the last 10 years, Guyana’s economy has grown from being worth US$3 million to being worth US$2.4 billion in 2011.

However, this does not indicate people are going to buy craft, an item considered non-essential for survival. Quality was emphasised as a sure means to producers making their business more appealing and increase sales and growth. Jagdeo added that government had confidence in the sector and other small business owners, as can be seen by the amount of small loans given by IPED and other government bodies.

Meanwhile, teachers and students, who turned out in their numbers to join the discussion with the head of state, pointed out the lack of support given for the subject to be taught in school.