Solomon Islands talented wood carvers need help in marketing their products.
An article in the Solomon Star newspaper, today, clearly illustrated that the talented wood carvers across the Solomon Islands need help from the government in marketing their exquisite products to external buyers in outside countries
I believe the assistance could come from the Japanese government if only JETRO would offer help in finding marketing outlets in Japan.
JETRO is the Japan External Trade Organization an Independent Administrative Institution established by Japan Export Trade Research Organization as a nonprofit corporation in Osaka in February 1952,
JETRO is known to assist Thailand with markets and sales in Japan of its OPTOP made products.
‘One Tambon (community) One Product’ is a local entrepreneurship stimulus program designed by Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during his 2001-2006 in office.
The program is aimed to support locally made and marketed products of each of Thailand's 7,255 tambons
As Japan is known to assist the Solomon Islands in positive ways, it should not be asking too much for JETRO’s assistance in helping Solomon Islands wood carvers get buyers in a not too far away market place.
The commentary of mine has been prompted by the Solomon Star article, from which I quote.
“Local carvers from around Western province who usually gathered in Gizo to trade their carvings with tourists on board tourist boats were unsatisfied with recent transportation arraignments (by boat) which saw a drop in the number of their tourist clients.
According to some of the local carvers from Rendova Island and other parts of the Western Province, concerns have been raised on the matter.
“They told Solomon Star Gizo that it is disappointing to see them coming from a far with their carvings with the aim to be sold.
“However, the turnout was not welcoming,” they said.
“We spent a lot of money to travel to Gizo with our art and crafts work but it turns out that the trading arrangement is very poor.”
“Only a few tourists bought our carvings,” the concerned carvers said.
“In view of the concern raised, they said that they would like to see the provincial tourism office to assist them sell out their talents (arts and crafts).
“We want the provincial tourism office to help us find the market.
“It is very difficult for us, every time we travelled to Gizo and returning home with very little cash to support our family.
“Therefore, we want the provincial government to help set up a craft centre in Gizo so that we can spend days selling our works,” they stated.
“They said that Western Province Government (WPG) should carefully look at the situation that affects those that travelled into Gizo from distant locations.”
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
