Pretoria - Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Elizabeth Thabethe says there is a need to address the exploitation of crafters.
Speaking at the 3rd edition of the International Handicrafts Exhibition underway in Cameroon, Thabethe said Africa must begin to address "with all frankness" the challenge of exploitation of intellectual property of the handicrafts, and how it gets to be protected.
"As crafters, we are mindful of the need to move beyond just production and selling in our small corners but to take our work to international level. This comes with its own challenges, which is why it is important to organise ourselves much better to meet the possible demands of higher production output."
Thabethe has led a group of handicrafts exhibitors to the International Handicrafts Exhibition, which started on Monday. The aim of the exhibition is to showcase products and services to the Central Africa market.
The exhibition also offers an opportunity for an exchange of skills and innovative advances by the craftsmen and women at the exhibition. Among the exhibitors are cooperatives funded by the Department of Trade and Industry.
Thabethe said South Africa had identified Cameroon as a strategic partner because of its economy presence and enormous trade and investment opportunities for South African business.
She said relations between the two countries will be enhanced later by the establishment of the Joint Trade Committee.
"The two countries are further moving towards establishing a Joint Trade Committee aimed at mapping interventions to accelerate bilateral economic cooperation. This seeks to address trade imbalances between the two countries by leveraging on agreements that we have, and building on the opportunities for investments."
South Africa will continue to strengthen economic relations with Cameroon aimed at advancing the countries developmental agenda in the rest of Africa. Key sectors offering profitable economic opportunities in Cameroon have been identified.
The visit by the South African delegation to Cameroon is a continuous programme of deepening bilateral relations between the two countries.
It also builds on previous engagements and exchanges of government and business delegations.
