Indigenous craft makers are welcoming the Guyana Development Bank, saying access to financing could help transform traditional skills into sustainable businesses.

This was highlighted at the Amerindian Arts, Craft and Cuisine Exhibition at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, where Indigenous artisans and vendors from showcased their products.

For craft makers, access to financing means greater opportunities to purchase materials, increase production and reach new markets, while keeping traditional skills alive.

One of those artisans is Leonie Willis from Mabaruma,who operates a variety store while producing Amerindian handicrafts.

Willis says she is currently the only craft maker in her community and believes financing could help her expand her business.

“I even learned about the loan, the three-million-dollar loan that we can get to help boost our business. I’m grateful to the government and to the president for that great initiative, to give us the chance to move on and excel more,” she said.

Willis produces traditional tibisiri crafts, including fruit bowls and hammocks, using material from the tibisiri palm through a process of cutting, drying, boiling and weaving.

Willis says support from the Guyana Development Bank would not only help preserve Indigenous craftsmanship, but also enable artisans to build viable businesses andpass those traditions on to the next generation.