At the opening of the Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Corporation (BAIC) 12th Annual BahamArts Festival on Friday he explained that satisfied clients tend to become repeat buyers.
?More importantly, they become excellent word-of-mouth references for other potential buyers.?
Prime Minister Ingraham said, ?The improved production of Bahamian arts, crafts, clothing, accessories, jewellery and packaged and processed food increase local value added to our tourism product and significantly improves our tourism product making it uniquely Bahamian.?
The development of increased quantities and improved quality of Bahamian products will also benefit the country during these hard economic times, he explained.
?Buying locally made artefacts contributes to employment and keeps a greater portion of income circulating in The Bahamas economy thereby increasing the standard of living in The Bahamas.?
The Government will continue action in support of independent entrepreneurs and small business development, as it believes that domestic investment plays an important role in stimulating the economy, Prime Minister Ingraham said.
Further, as the Government seeks to develop means and opportunities for more people to prepare themselves for gainful employment in tough economic times, he said BAIC has expanded its training programmes in craft production.
?The craft training offered through BAIC ? in straw, shell, sisal and coconut shell craft, batik and tie-dye and wood turning will without a doubt assist participants to improve their skills and to raise the quality of the products which they offer for sale to both Bahamians and visitors to our country.?
Prime Minister Ingraham noted that already an improved quality of production is evident by the quality and standard of Bahamian made products displayed at the festival and shops.
?Indeed, he said, ?the success being experienced by some producers of high-end straw handbags and other products prove that discerning clients will pay top dollar for quality Bahamian craft.?
Prime Minister Ingraham praised instructors of BAIC?s craft training program for ?unconsciously contributing to the enhancement of our culture and the strength of our economy?.
He said it should not be lost on anyone that this year?s BahamArts Festival has as its theme ?Tradition Made Modern?.
?Making and keeping our traditions modern requires that successive generations of our people continue to practice these traditions.
?So I am pleased to single out for special recognition all the young persons who continue to participate in the Festival.?
He said, ?It is your participation that will ensure that arts and craft traditions which together with our music form the soul of our cultural heritage are preserved and continue to be practiced in the future.?
Prime Minister Ingraham encouraged restaurants at the Down Home Fish Fry to become an extension of the Festival by expanding their menus to include a wider variety of Bahamian foods, including dishes and drinks more particularly associated with individual Family Islands.
He also suggested that they consider including in their establishments displays of some of the excellent work shown at the Festival.
?Such exhibits will assist in creating increased demand for Bahamian-made products among Bahamians as well as among our international visitors to the site.
Prime Minister Ingraham said, ?This would be especially helpful to crafts persons based on our Family Islands who are more challenged than their colleagues here in the Capital, in bringing their products to the attention of both the local or international markets.?
Thirty craft associations are participating in the Festival from Andros, Acklins, Berry Islands, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Exuma, Eleuthera, Inagua, Long Island, Mayaguana, and Ragged Island.