SALALAH, Oct 31 - Public Authority for Craft Industries (PACI) held a meeting with the artisans of Dhofar to make them understand the opportunities lying in the sector and call upon them to grab the benefits being offered by various government and non-government agencies.
The representatives from PACI, Riyada, Al Raffd Fund and many other government agencies, which are involved directly or indirectly with the promotion of handicrafts, were present in the meeting. A large number of artisans, many of them having their own house museums, were also present in the meeting.
Khalid al Hinai, Director of Dhofar chapter of PACI, stated that in Dhofar there were more than 6,000 registered artisans, who were contributing hugely in keeping alive the tradition of handicrafts and local culture. They are adding value to tourism by offering the tourists authentic Omani products and showcasing the unique Dhofari lifestyle through the house museums spread over in many parts of the governorates.
Mohammed al Amri of Riyada assured the artisans the best possible support in terms of guidance and financing of the projects depending upon their ability to qualify the basic requirements.
Giving an insight into PACI activities in Dhofar, Amer Tabook of PACI, said, “Among 6,000 registered artisans in Dhofar most of them are women and take active participation in training programmes, awareness drives and other such activities being taken by several authorities time to time.” He also said that there were about 18 ‘house museums’ operational in Dhofar and served the twin purposes of marketing and exhibition.
“Most of them are full time artisans operating from their homes and supplying products to several shops, showrooms and festivals being organised time to time. To ensure that they do not have to bother for marketing, PACI buys their products and sells them in Muscat from where they are distributed at many places,” he said.
Jamila Mubarak Kora, owner of a private house museum in New Salalah, called for steps to make the house museums more commercially viable by making some arrangements for the tourists to visit these house museums and feel the Dhofari lifestyle in a homely atmosphere.
“Since we have many handicrafts and things made of frankincense on display at our house museums, it would be good opportunity for people like us to sell authentic Omani souvenirs to our guests. And the guests would also be happy to find things so authentic for their near and dear ones,” said Jamila.
Counting advantages of this idea Jamila said, “It would give a boost to local handicraft, as the visitors would buy the goods kept at our museums. Plus they would get to know more about luban (frankincense) and experience the way bakhour (incense made of wood, oil, frankincense) is made, as we have training facility for women who come and learn different skills at our centres,” she said.
Kaushalendra Singh
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