Wa, Feb. 26, GNA - Mr Stephen K. Engmen, Special Assistant to the Upper West Regional Minister, has called on artisans throughout the country to take advantage of the tax relief and exemptions and expand their businesses to serve both domestic and international markets. He urged them to add more value to their products to enable them to compete favourably on the international markets.

Mr Engmen gave this advice at Wa when he opened a two-day workshop organised by Centre for National Culture for about 25 smock weavers in the Region.

He said they could benefit from Poverty alleviation Funds (PAF), The Social Investment Fund (SIF), The Village Infrastructure Project (VIP) and the Youth Fund if they were well organised at their operational levels.

"Truly the Golden Age of Business has come to stay and the smock weavers can take advantage of this to increase their incomes and earn foreign exchange for this country".

He called on the general public to patronise the local smocks and batik tie and dye, which have now gained international recognition to keep the weavers in constant business.

Mr Mark Dugbe, Acting Regional Director for Centre for National Culture, said although most of the weavers were skilful, the Centre was equipping them so that they could put neat finishing touches to their products.

He said the Centre's persistent educational programme have brought up the smock to the standard of international outfit which would eventually bring income to the weavers.

Mr Dugbe said similar workshops would be organised for those engaged in batik tie and dye, basketry, blacksmithing and other artisans to improve on the quality of their products.

He appealed to the Regional co-ordinating Council and philanthropists to assist the Centre to organise more workshops to improve on the skills of artisans.