The current stock of the Government Handicraft Centre will be transferred to the Fiji Arts Council as the centre will put up its shutters soon. A decision to close the Centre was taken since it has not been financially viable.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade had submitted a report mentioning that the Centre that was set up in 1974 has not been performing financially well since last 10 years.
The Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said that the transfer of assets from the Centre to Fiji Arts Council will stop the duplication of functions and wastage of limited resources.
Shut down of this Centre will strengthen the functions of both the Arts Council and Government Handicraft Centre to consider all the factors in promotion of a bonafide handicraft industry, he added.
The Department of Culture and Heritage offers a grant of $120,000 to the Fiji Arts Council.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India