China's Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites added to UNESCO World Heritage List

The importance of handicraft to an economy cannot be overemphasized as strong craft markets contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through job creation, export revenues and tou­ rism. Understanding this im­ portance, the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized En­ terprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts, under the distinguished sponsorship of the President of the Re­ public, organised several edi­ tions of the International Handicraft Exhibition of Ca­ meroon, best known by the acronym SIARC. This year’s edition is the ninth, holding under the theme, “Boosting craft innovation at the cross­ roads between tradition and modernity.” Rightly put, it is the country’s leading platform for the pro­ motion, showcasing and mar­ keting of craft products to national and international persons/bodies. Ca maroon is a ten-region nation with four cultural zones that por­ tray a wonderful cultural he­ ritage. Through arts works from natural resources, the abovementioned exhibition seeks to promote and sti­ mulate innovation in the craft sector by creating a platform of exchange bet­ ween traditional skills and contemporary influences with a view of improving competitiveness, sustaina­ bility and access to national and international markets. With several foreign coun­ tries participating at the in­...