Bamako: On the sidelines of the 5th edition of the International Handicrafts Fair of Mali (SIAMA), representatives of the main support structures for handicrafts and trade in Burkina Faso commended the Malian authorities for the quality of the organization and the opportunities offered to Burkinabe artisans. The Director General of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Burkina Faso (CCI-BF), Seydou K. Tou, highlighted that Burkina Faso, as the guest country of honor, mobilized a delegation of more than 120 participants, including about a hundred exhibitors and artists.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Mr. Tou emphasized the importance of SIAMA as a showcase of African know-how and as the backbone of economic sovereignty. He noted that the CCI-BF provided logistical and financial support, covering the acquisition of stands and the transport of equipment. Additionally, Mr. Tou reaffirmed Burkina Faso's solidarity with Mali, dismissing the "media hype" about a climate of insecurity around Bamako as unfounded.

On an institutional level, Mr. Tou recalled the implementation of the AIS (Mali-Burkina-Niger) CCI alliance, created through an agreement signed in October 2024 to strengthen regional economic cooperation. In a similar vein, the Director General of the Burkina Faso Export Promotion Agency (APEX-Burkina), Soumaila Bara, stated that the agency's presence at SIAMA aims to promote Burkinabe products on international markets and strengthen trade links with Mali and countries in the sub-region. He expressed satisfaction with APEX-Burkina's participation, aligning it with its mission to support stakeholders in exploring new opportunities.

Regarding trade fair cooperation, the general manager of the Ouagadougou International Arts and Crafts Fair (SIAO), Eric Bassole, highlighted the agreement linking SIAO and SIAMA since November 2023. He mentioned that his team's presence in Bamako allows them to engage with artisans who regularly participate in SIAO and to promote the next edition, scheduled from October 30 to November 8, 2026, under the theme "African crafts and industrialization: what synergies can lead to better promotion of local products and cultural heritage?" Exchanges are also planned with other partner trade shows, notably SAFEM, and the first registrations for the 2026 edition have already been recorded.

At the conclusion of these interventions, Burkinabe officials unanimously praised the organization of SIAMA 2025 and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening artisanal cooperation between Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and all participating countries.