By Gladstone Thurston
Bahamas Information Services
DUNDAS TOWN, ABACO – The government has approved four acres of land in downtown Marsh Harbour on which to construct a culture centre, BAIC executive chairman and South Abaco MP Edison Key said.
The centre will showcase strictly Bahamian features - arts and craft, farm produce, local cuisine, entertainment and more, he noted.
"This is an opportunity for your products to be presented in a bigger and better way, and for more money from sales to flow directly into your pockets," he said.
Key, the executive chairman of Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC), was the keynote speaker as mainland Abaco and nearby Moore's Island produced 103 graduates in straw, shell and coconut craft last weekend.
The training sessions were conducted by nationally acclaimed craft tutors Eldina Miller, Eloise Smith and April Martin-Fox. Their students produced a wide variety of interesting items using mainly native ingredients.
Key said BAIC, which has been conducting classes in craft work throughout the islands, wants to start a revolution in the souvenir industry.
"It is claimed," he said, "that there are not sufficient Bahamian products available so we have to import souvenirs for our tourists.
"The talents I see here in the Abacos and throughout the other islands tell me that such excuses amount to just that – excuses.
"There is already no reason to spend as many millions of dollars as we do importing souvenirs which our tourists tell us they do not want anyway.
"They want something that is Bahamian, like the items you produce right here in the Abacos.
"We are serious about taking back our souvenir industry," said Key. "With your support we will be successful."
