Thailand Overseas Investment Center

Supporting creative industry in Madagascar

ANTANANARIVO, 5 December 2014 - To boost creative industry in Madagascar and provide income to rural artisans, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has introduced an innovative approach by engaging an internationally renowned designer, M. Giulio Vinaccia.

Prototypes from his Tsara collection were unveiled today in the Queen's Palace of Antananarivo. This is part of the creative industry project implemented by UNIDO in Madagascar and funded by the United Nations Development Prorgamme (UNDP).

More than eighty artisans from the most vulnerable part of the country are now producing contemporary craftwork from materials such as natural fibers for Tsara collection. The products, including baskets, bags, hats, furniture and home decorations, are mainly made by women artisans and will be sold to hotels on the coast of the Indian Ocean as well as on the European market.

“Contemporary crafts will support the economies of the three artisan communities involved. They have the potential to strengthen the image of Madagascar on the international stage,” said Lorence Ansermet, UNIDO Representative to Madagascar.

She added that UNIDO will provide technical training for the artisans to help them produce new products and meet market standards. “We will also provide marketing and sales services through the export consortium, and plan to establish a creative industry centre. All of this will help the country's creative industry become a source for economic development,” said Ansermet.

The unveiling ceremony of Tsara collection brought together 300 participants, including the Prime Minister of Madagascar.

Visit the project website www.tsaracollection.org

For more information, please contact:

Lorence Ansermet
UNIDO Representative to Madagascar
email 

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