The National Committee for Art and Craft Producers said copyright legislation should be implemented to protect both local and foreign producers during its first meeting establishing the committee.
According to a press release from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) the objective of the meeting was to finalize its composition, conduct discussions on the terms of reference and develop a work programme and action plan. GNBS Executive Director Dr Chatterpaul Ramcharran, who chaired the meeting, said the committee would maintain the momentum of the Art and Craft Association through inputs at the various levels by the government “in order to reliably and adequately address the challenges of the Craft Sector, and to ensure that craft products are of the best quality.” Ramcharran said too that a well-supported and organized art and craft sector would provide employment and strengthen the country’s economy.
According to the statement, the meeting also agreed that the education ministry, the Craft Production Unit and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana should be represented on the committee. Currently it comprises representatives from the Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Amerindian Affairs and Foreign Trade and International Cooperation and Culture, Youth and Sport Ministries, the Guyana Art and Craft Producers Association, EMPRETEC, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, the Guyana Small Business Association, the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), the Guyana Manufacturers and Services Association and the Burrowes School of Art.
GNBS went on to say that the meeting agreed that based on the needs of the committee and the Art and Craft Association a financial sub-committee would be established to deal directly with financial institutions. A sub-committee comprising representatives from the GNBS, EMPRETEC, the Small Business Bureau, the Art and Craft Association and Go-Invest will meet ahead of the next meeting to prepare draft terms of reference and a work plan.
Meanwhile, the release said, the Art and Craft Producers Association’s president and general secretary updated the committee on the status of registrants, which numbered 60 to date. It also said it had visited more than half of the registrants to get a first-hand look at their manufacturing operations.
The release said the meeting was held on Thursday at the tourism ministry.
