Reem BinKaram: Handicrafts.. sustainable economy reaches world

Reem BinKaram emphasised that the UAE's investment in human talent and creativity makes arts and crafts important economic contributors. She noted that the country has begun collecting and documenting data to assess the impact of the handicrafts sector, aiming to increase its contribution to 5% of the GDP by 2031, thus preserving these crafts as part of the national identity.

Role of Erthi

She explained that the Erthi in Sharjah plays an active role in this ecosystem by transforming crafts from a heritage activity into a scalable and growth-oriented industry. This is achieved by blending cultural aesthetics with contemporary design, supporting sustainability goals and enhancing the economic and social viability of these crafts.