Limbe Handi-craft village inaugurated

The imposing structure of Limbe
 handicrafts village

-Gov. OKALIA BILAI to head management committee
Bernard OKALIA BILAI, Governor of the South West Region and other personalities of competence were installed last May 27 by the Minister of Small and Medium sized enterprises, social economy and handicrafts, Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa, to assume managerial power over the Regional Handicrafts Village of Limbe. The official swearing-in was done during the inauguration ceremony of the Limbe Handicrafts village and the one stop shop for Business registration in the South West Region.
By a correspondent in Limbe
After laying the foundation stone three years ago, precisely on August 19 2011, Pr. Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa was delighted to inaugurate the magnificent structure that will host talented Cameroonians who have a special passion for the crafts sector.  Situated at Bonadikombo, Mile 4 Limbe, the handicrafts village will be a meeting point for lovers of crafts and craft products. It is a platform for the expression and discovery of talents. The handicrafts village is intended to promote job creation, self employment and contribute in the fight against poverty especially among youths.
The establishment is also expected in the nearest future to stimulate youths to embrace entrepreneurship through the one stop shop center which will make it possible for prospective business owners of the Region to create enterprises in 72 hours.
Government’s priority is on the maintenance of the structure, modernization of the sector and the training of interested Cameroonians in a bid to help the handicrafts industry emerge from its slumber, H.E. Etoundi Ngoa pledged, as he installed the management committee of the village.
    The nine-man management committee is a melting-pot of men from diverse horizon. It includes the Regional Delegate of Tourism and Leisure, the Regional Delegate of Arts and Culture, the Regional Delegate of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises among others, all under the coordination of Governor Bernard OKALIA BILAI.
     Despite the beauty of the building, the representative of crafts persons, Catherine Foretia alongside the Government Delegate for the Limbe City Council picked some faults which may become obstacles to the smooth functioning of the village; the absence of electricity and the lack of security around the premises. The minister addressed the situation on the spot by promising to pay particular attention to the construction of a fence for security reasons and the supply of energy sooner than later. In addition, he disclosed that, the computerization of the structure is the next point on the agenda of the Ministry to facilitate the practice of e-commerce and also modernize the crafts sector.