Porvorim (Goa): With an objective to promote traditional folk art and rural handicrafts, the government of Goa will join hands with UNESCO, State Rural Development Agency Minister Jayesh Salgaoncar said.

This week, Salgaoncar had a meeting with UNESCO representatives in Goa to map out the agreement between Goa government and international agency.

“The intention of entire program was to tie up with UNESCO in promoting, preserving and developing rural entrepreneurship in traditional handicrafts and folk art,” Salogancar told reporters.

He said the representatives of UNESCO during their visit to the State also met Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and State Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai.

Salgaoncar said the initiative which is envisaged, would not only preserve the traditional art forms of the coastal State but also help boost rural handicraft trade which would bring about socio-economic growth of rural Goa.

The State government’s rural development department will work out modalities on fine tuning the cooperation between both the agencies. “UNESCO has submitted us the proposal, we will study it and see how best we can adopt it through our government sponsored schemes,” Salgaoncar added.

Team TNV