OUAGADOUGOU: The Prime Minister, Dr. Apollinaire Joachimson Kyélem de Tambèla, presided over the closing ceremony of the 17th edition of the Ouagadougou International Crafts Fair (SIAO) on Saturday evening. This event, which took place from October 25 to November 3, 2024, was themed ‘African crafts, youth entrepreneurship and empowerment’.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Prime Minister, in a speech delivered by Serge Gnaniodem PODA, the Minister in charge of Handicrafts, expressed gratitude towards participants who contributed to the success of the event. The Prime Minister highlighted the vibrant atmosphere of the fair, which featured exhibition-sales, meetings, and exchanges among craft industry stakeholders. He acknowledged the efforts of national and international exhibitors, visitors, foreign delegations, and media personnel in making the event successful.
The Prime Minister shared key statistics from this year’s edition, noting the participation of over 4,000 exhibitors from approximately
thirty countries, a significant number of buyers and professional visitors, 524 journalists, 94 accredited media outlets, and over 350,000 public visitors by the fifth day of the fair. He emphasized SIAO as a pivotal event for African crafts and its potential to contribute to economic structuring.
Furthermore, Dr. Apollinaire Joachimson Kyélem de Tambèla praised artisans worldwide for showcasing their creative works, which reflect the cultural diversity and richness of their countries. To recognize their efforts, several prizes were awarded, including the Grand Prix of the President of Faso, the Prize of the Regions of Burkina Faso, and the Creativity Prize. Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso were recognized as the top winners in these categories.
The Prime Minister encouraged artisans to maintain their professionalism and creativity to support national sovereignty through independent production and consumption methods. He called upon investors, art promoters, and partners to provide additional support for the c
raft sector’s development.
Dr. Kyélem de Tambèla expressed gratitude to participating countries, especially Mali and Niger, as well as the Republic of Cameroon. He also commended security forces for ensuring a peaceful event.