The General Manager of the Ghana Export Promotion Council, Mr Lawrence Prempeh, has said the Council has plans to reactivate the Dabaa Beads Craft Centre in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District. These included soliciting for financial support for the craftsmen, refurbishment to boost the aesthetic value, extension of electricity to and the provision of exhibition hall for the centre. Mr. Prempeh announced these when he interacted with craftsmen at the centre on Monday as part of a day's familiarization tour of some handicraft production centres in the Ashanti Region. The Council built the centre in 1995, as part of its efforts to boost glass beads production for international markets. Mr Prempeh, who was accompanied by Mr Adjei Yeboah, Ashanti Regional Manager of the Council and Mr Eramus Ashon, Senior Export Development Officer, also visited the Ahwiaa Wood Carving Centre in the Kwabre district. He told the carvers that the Council would liaise with the National Board for Small-Scale Industries to provide the needed facilities and stores for the Craft Village in Ahwiaa. Mr Prempeh said the GEPC has placed high premium on the handicraft sub-sector and that it would do everything possible to boost its foreign exchange earnings. He stressed that the Council was working on a programme to enhance closer collaboration with craftsmen through training and international trade fair participation for them to be abreast with market trends. He said the international exposure would enable them to address quality and design challenges adequately. Source: GNA