KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Thirty craft -producers have had their skills upgraded through a recently concluded ‘Craft Biz Facility’ project, an initiative of the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) and the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ).

Launched in April 2012, the aim of the project is to enhance the business and technical capabilities of craft producers in an attempt to foster growth and improve competitiveness within the sector.

Project Coordinator Nelissa Thompson explained that over the one-year period, the producers, through training, monitoring and hand-holding, made an assortment of craft and fashion items including jewelry, footwear, fashion apparel, home accents and souvenirs.

“With the completion of this project, all the craft producers who participated now have market-ready, authentic Jamaican products for distribution in both the local and international market place,” Thompson said.

She said that at the beginning of the project, an assessment of the business, product and marketing needs of each participant was carried out, which resulted in the development of a one-year action plan with recommendations to support each business.

Throughout the year, workshops were conducted on critical areas and factors involved in operating a business, Thompson said. These included costing & pricing; business formalisation; taxation; records management and bookkeeping.

“We also focused on improving the aesthetics and finishing of their products and provided them with business kits which will assist them in further enhancing their products,” Thompson informed.

To culminate the year-long initiative, a Marketing Seminar and Product Exhibition was held on May 9, at the JBDC Incubator and Resource Centre at 96 Marcus Garvey Drive.