DUSHANBE, July 19, 2014, Asia-Plus -- Eight Tajik craftsmen will fly to Bishkek tomorrow to take part in a series of initiatives organized within the framework of the project “Handicraft and Business through Regional Integration and Fair Trade Market”, funded by the European Union and co-funded and implemented by the Italian NGO Cesvi.

According to the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan, the craftsmen, all members of the Union of Craftsmen of Tajikistan (UCT) and coming from Dushanbe, Kulob, Khujand, Istaravshan and Khorog are masters in the manufacturing of ceramic, wood, felt and jewelry.  They will participate in an exchange of experiences realized in the form of a 1-week practical workshop conducted by an Italian designer.  Tajik artisans will meet four Kyrgyz masters in their laboratories and, under the guidance of the European expert, they will work together to create new products reflecting the best of Tajik and Kyrgyz traditional techniques, re-elaborated through the lens of European modern design.

The workshop will be held from July 21-27, with a break on July 24 to give Tajik artisans the possibility to participate in the International Conference “Regional Cooperation as a Key Instrument for Promoting Central Asian Handicraft into International Sales Markets”.  The Conference will bring together artisans, government official, Asian and European experts to identify strategies for promoting better access of Central Asia crafts on foreign markets and it will officially open the IX edition of the “Oimo” International Festival.

Promoted by CACSARC-Kg, leader organization in Kyrgyz handicraft sector, the “Oimo” Festival is a well established 2-week event that attracts every year artisans and tourists from the Central Asia region and even Europe.  This year edition has been realized with the financial support of the EU and the contribution of Cesvi and its Kyrgyz partner, the Bishkek Business Club (BBC).  Thanks to the synergy established between the EU-funded project and CACSARC-Kg, Tajik artisans will move on July 28 to Cholpon Ata, on the shore of the lake Issyk Kul, where they will have the opportunity to expose for one week the best of their production in the prestigious showcase of the “Oimo” Handicraft Fair.

The project “Handicraft and Business through Regional Integration and Fair Trade Market” has a 2-year duration and, as part of the EU Central Asia Invest Program, will reinforce the cooperation among Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in the handicraft sector.