Mahitahi Handikraf Senta on the sea front is accepting vendors to fill 53 stalls in the newly built cool, breeze-filled, open thatch-roofed house that will open on November 29.
The criterion for all vendors is to strive to eventually sell only ‘Made in Vanuatu’ products in the new handicraft house.
National Handicraft Development Coordinator, Ian Baniuri, from the Department of Industry explains, “It is the long-term objective of Mahitahi Handikraf Senta that we will have one central shop or warehouse here in Port Vila where handicraft products from the provinces are kept in stock for vendors to tap into to sustain their individual supplies.
“Port Vila Municipality is partnering in the project and the idea is for the network to connect all the provincial handicraft associations with a long-term vision to sell only ‘Made in Vanuatu’ products because our visitors want to buy souvenirs from Vanuatu made in Vanuatu.”
The coordinator explains that there is a National Handicraft Industry Working Group which advises the Department of Industry on handicraft matters. It is made up of Vanuatu Intellectual Property Right, Vanuatu Cultural Centre and other relevant sectors along with donor partners including TVET.
