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26th World Crafts Council Asia Pacific Regional Assembly
got off to a great start on October 6, 2003 in Dhaka
with a welcome ceremony in which mastercraftspersons
were honored. The venue was the beautiful BRAC Center
set amidst lush green paddy fields where all the delegates
were housed. The opening session was addressed by Mrs.
Ruby Ghuznavi, President, National Crafts Council of
Bangladesh (NCCB), Mrs. Vijaya Rajan, President World
Crafts Council Asia Pacific Region, Ms. Rokia A Rehman
and the Chief Guest, Mr. F. H. Abed, Chairman, BRAC.
The Business
Meet was held on October 7th. The minutes of the 25th
WCC - Asia Pacific Region held in Kuala Lumpur (September
17 - 22) and the Business Meet held in Delhi (November
14) were read and passed. This was followed by the plan
of action of different entities. India also agreed to
host the UNESCO Seal of Excellence event in the year
2004. Ms. Beatrice of UNESCO made a presentation on
the Seal Program for South Asia. It was decided that
the 5th UNESCO Craft Prize would be presented on the
occassion of the Annual Crafts Fair of Central Asian
States in Bishkek, Kryrgystan.
The statement
of Accounts for the year 2003 was made as also the announcement
of holding of the WCC General Assembly meet in Greece
from June 1 - 6, 2004. Nominations for the Office of
the World Crafts Council President, Asia Pacific Regional
President and the Vice Presidents were called. The date
and venue for the 27th World Crafts Council Asia Pacific
Regional Meeting was announced as the 31st of May, 2004,
in Greece, a day before the World Crafts Council General
Assembly Meet.
The "Abharan:
Textile Tradition of Bangladesh" exhibition which
was inaugurated on the evening of October 7 featured
exquisite saris and made ups in jamdani weaves and embellished
with kantha, etc.
A seminar titled
"Crafts without Barriers, Development and Marketing
Access" was held on October 8. The Minister of
Commerce Mr. Amir Khusro spoke eloquently on the Bangladesh
craft scenario and the need for vigorous marketing strategies.
Of particular interest with lessons to be learnt by
the countries of the region was the Grameen Bank's Deputy
MD, Mr. Khalid Sham's talk.
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