14 Jul 2017

New Vanuatu co-operative aims to boost local craft sales

1:49 pm on 14 July 2017

In Vanuatu, women selling handicrafts at the Port Vila market have set up a co-operative society to buy quality items made in the outer islands.

Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Port Vila, Vanuatu. Photo: RNZI

The president of the Bulvanua Arts & Handicrafts Co-operative Society, Rosalie Vatu, says the main purpose of the co-operative is to buy woven baskets, mats, fans, beads and carvings made in the islands to sell to tourists.

The president said they wanted to eventually sell only made in Vanuatu products to tourists.

She said until the beginning of this year vendors had been selling imported products to tourists because they did not have enough local goods available.