Bamako: The International Handicrafts Fair of Mali (SIAMA) opened its doors this Thursday at the Bamako Exhibition Center, under the patronage of the Malian Prime Minister, Major General Abdoulaye Maiga. Held under the theme "Handicrafts, a factor in development and safeguarding our cultural identity," this 5th edition is marked by the exceptional participation of Burkina Faso, the guest country of honor alongside Niger.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the delegation from Burkina Faso, led by the Minister of Handicrafts, Mr. Serge Gnaniodem Poda, comprised some twenty administrative officials and over one hundred artisans who came to showcase the diversity and richness of Burkina Faso's heritage. In his opening remarks, Minister Poda conveyed the fraternal greetings of the President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traore, to his Malian counterpart, the President of the Transition, General Assimi Goita, and to the brotherly people of Mali.
He welcomed the honor bestowed upon Burkina Faso through this invitation, which he described as a powerful symbol of the unwavering fraternity uniting the peoples of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The minister also paid tribute to the resilience of the Malian people, affirming that the bonds of solidarity between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger remain strong and embody a shared vision of a sovereign, prosperous, and united Africa.
On behalf of the Malian government, the Malian Minister of Handicrafts, Culture, Hospitality and Tourism, Mr. Mamou Daffe, commended the strong participation of Burkinabe artisans, noting that their creations are a vibrant testament to Sahelian creativity. "This edition pays particular tribute to metalworkers and blacksmiths, historical pillars of Malian and Sahelian societies," he added.
For his part, the Malian Prime Minister reaffirmed the importance of SIAMA as a platform for promoting local consumption and strengthening the competitiveness of artisanal products within the AES region. He expressed his gratitude to the invited countries, particularly Burkina Faso, for their ongoing commitment to cultural and economic cooperation.