TİKA Created a Ceramics and Tile Making Studio in TRNC

In cooperation with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and Esentepe Municipality, a tile making, ceramic and stone carving studio was opened in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

TRNC President Ersin Tatar, TRNC Prime Minister Ersan Saner, ministers, deputies, Turkey's Ambassador to Nicosia Ali Murat Başçeri, TİKA’s Nicosia Program Coordinator Havva Pınar Özcan Küçükçavuş, Esentepe Mayor Cemal Erdoğan and other officials were among the attendants in the opening ceremony of the studio in Karaağaç Primary School in Esentepe.

In his speech at the ceremony, President Tatar said, "We thank TİKA, Turkey's Ambassador and those who contributed to the opening of this studio for our women." said.

TRNC Prime Minister Saner said that local governments always have a better chance of contacting the people compared to the central government, and that he attaches great importance to the cooperation between central and local governments. Saner said, "Today, we are opening a very important tile making and ceramic studio with TİKA. We would like to thank TİKA of our homeland Turkey," he said. Underlining that the handicrafts and products made by women will be marketed and they will be able to have income, Saner said that this will contribute to their family economy.

 – "We are expecting some projects other than what has already been done"

Reminding that TİKA has been carrying out some programs in the TRNC for one year and a half, Başceri stated that TİKA carries out some projects to empower women in the economy and to revive the entrepreneurial spirit of the youth. “We expect municipalities, various sectors and NGOs from TRNC to apply to TİKA. However, the criteria are clear, we are expecting projects other than what has already been done." Ambassador Başçeri thanked everyone who would work in the tile making and ceramic stone carving studio in Esentepe.

TİKA’s Nicosia Program Coordinator Küçükçavuş stated that they opened the studio in cooperation with Esentepe Municipality and thanked everyone who will contribute to the training to be held here. Stating that TİKA prioritizes women and presents women job opportunities in about 100 countries, Küçükçavuş noted that in a year and a half, TİKA’s Nicosia Program Office carried out 5 programs on women's employment in the TRNC.

For the project, TİKA provided various materials: industrial ceramic and tile kiln, pottery lathe, portable mixer, product transport trolleys, production tables, product cabinets, ceramic bowls, plates, tiles, paint, glaze, casting, mud and stone painting branch materials. Thus, production materials that will be sufficient for about a year were provided during the training phase. With the tile making and ceramic stone carving studio, carried out in cooperation with TİKA’s Nicosia Program Office and Esentepe, it is aimed that the housewives in the region will participate in the economy.