SCTA to give away handicraft awards

16 Apr '10

2 min read

The launch of 'Souk Okaz' award for handicrafts was recently announced by His Royal Highness (HRH), Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA).

This award for handicrafts comes in accordance with the efforts taken by the government in the direction of supporting the artisans and encouraging them for their activities, informed HRH Prince Sultan, while underlining the significance of the award.

The Prince also mentioned the efforts taken by SCTA and its partners for supporting the artisans through measures such as, training programs, rehabilitation, involving artisans in tourism events and organizing exclusive handicraft markets at shopping centers and historic places.

The announcement of the launch of handicraft awards was done during a press conference conducted towards the end of the Saudi Travel and Tourism Investment Market (STTIM) 2010, which came to an end on April 1, in Riyadh.

The Supreme Committee of Souk Okaz Award headed by HRH Prince Khalid Al Faisal, Amir of Makka gave a nod to earmark an award bearing the name 'Souk Okaz' for handicrafts, which will be offered to artisans during the Souk Okaz heritage event this year.

According to the SCTA President, the commission is paying lots of attention to the traditional industries and handicrafts sector. He also expects issuance of a national program on the lines of Al Janadriah festival under the header, 'Bari', which means skilled.

The President further informed that the program, which is an output of the cooperative work of eight ministries, was submitted to the government and is being studied by the Majlis Al Shora. Aim is to promote handicrafts and traditional industries in the kingdom in an organized and institutional manner.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India