ABU DHABI: The Abu Dhabi Register of Artisans, an initiative launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) in 2020, has registered 786 licensed artisans since its launch, in addition to providing training opportunities to 445 professionals of various age groups.
The platform, which brings together Emirati artisans of different specialties, is part of DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to preserve Emirati cultural heritage and traditional practices while offering handicraft practitioners with resources and opportunities to promote their work to a larger audience.
Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Under-Secretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: ‘At DCT Abu Dhabi, we have taken serious steps to preserve Emirati handicrafts, which is a significant element of our cultural heritage today. Supporting our local artisans and helping further develop their skills has contributed directly to the sustainability of traditional handicrafts while also preserving our national identity and protecting our Emirati cul
tural heritage. Through the Abu Dhabi Register of Artisans, we will continue to provide them with training opportunities, dissemination tools and enhancement of local policies to support them and promote their work.’
The Abu Dhabi Register of Artisans allows enlisted Emirati handicraft practitioners to receive an official certificate from DCT Abu Dhabi for up to 17 approved traditional crafts, which include pottery, traditional clothes and tailoring, traditional cooking, Al-Sadu, Khoos, Talli, carpentry, and making of burqas, among others. They also receive an official Artisan ID card and a listing on the official database, which provides opportunities to families involved in production and gives access to take part in local and international events.
The Abu Dhabi Register of Artisans will oversee the handicrafts sector in Abu Dhabi as well as support its artisans with the appropriate tools, giving them access to the latest marketing and promotional trends. The aim is for the crafts sector, under the platfo
rm Abu Dhabi Crafts, to become an active contributor to the national economy.
The Abu Dhabi Crafts platform has allowed 150 new products to be produced and promoted on digital platforms such as Amazon, Ounass and others, resulting in more than 200 Emirati artisans collaborating to achieve a sales performance of AED 8 million in 2022 and AED 9 million in 2023.
Applications to become a certified member of the Abu Dhabi Register of Artisans are open throughout the year. For more information about the initiative, please visit www.abudhabiregisterofartisans.ae.
Source: Emirates News Agency
