Amman – The newly renovated center of the Jordan Handicraft Producers Association (JHPA) was officially opened today during a ceremony held under the patronage of H.E. Ms. Maha Al Khatib, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities and H.E. Ms. Nancy Bakir, Minister of Culture. The renovation of the center came about through grant and technical support from the USAID/Jordan Tourism Development Project to help develop the local handicraft industry. The event was attended by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Mr. Farouk Al Hadidi, as well as USAID Deputy Mission Director, Ms. Dana Mansuri, along with Ministry of Culture representatives and other officials and tourism stakeholders.

Traditional handicrafts are an important part of tourism and can play a significant role in developing Jordan’s tourism industry. In addition to providing job opportunities, particularly in marginalized areas, creating unique and diverse products for tourists, handicrafts are a tool for preserving part of Jordan’s heritage and culture. To support JHPA in its mission to link and build the country’s handicraft community through advocacy and cooperative marketing for tourism and increase the international attractiveness of local handicrafts, the USAID/Jordan Tourism Development Project awarded JHPA a grant of almost $80,000 in July 2007. This investment in Jordan’s handicraft sector helped the association move forward in addressing challenges and developing the sector to enable it to reach its full potential.

The USAID grant contributed towards furnishing the center, which is located in a charming old house in the First Circle area of Amman, putting up new shelves and display stands in the handicraft display area and equipping the offices with needed equipment and furniture. It also supported staff salaries for a period of time and was used to produce communication and public relations materials for JHPA. In addition, the grant supported the participation of JHPA members in Ramadan Handicraft Village in 2007 and producing a membership kit.

Mr. Raed Al Badri, Chairman of JHPA, said, “This grant contributes to the development of the association’s capacity as it seeks to represent the handicraft sector and those working in it and help increase the competitiveness of Jordan products through the national tourism project, which is adopted by many stakeholders to develop Jordan’s economy.”

“The development of the Jordan’s Handicraft Producers Association center provides members with a valuable channel through which to display a unique part of Jordan’s beautiful heritage,” commented Ms. Mansuri. “As well as contributing to the tourist experience, handicrafts and traditional souvenirs are a constant reminder of a country and therefore a useful marketing tool. Thus the development of this local industry is very important.”

The revamp of the JHPA center into a more effective base for the association positively affects hundreds of members across the country, who collectively offers a diverse range of handicrafts and traditional handmade authentic products. These include ceramics and pottery, woven rugs, jewelry, basketry and embroidered items. Members’ products are now attractively displayed at the center and marketing and public relations tools are in place to attract visitors and tourists to see the handicraft collections.