The winners of Gieh l-Artigjanat 2012 (Artisans’ Awards) were announced on Friday at a ceremony organised by the Ministry of Fair Competition, Small Business and the Consumer in collaboration with the Commerce Department.

The aim of these awards is to honour local craftsmen. A total of 340 craftsmen and entities involved in traditional trades have taken part in the first three editions, receiving a combined sum of €350,000. 

In this year’s Awards, finalists received €2,000 each, with the winners of each of the three categories receiving up to €10,000.

Minister for Small Business Jason Azzopardi remarked that, in the last budget, the government had voted €145,000 to support local artisans. He added that the Commerce Department organises various events, including conferences, courses and fairs, to promote local tradesmen.

He also referred to a website intended to encourage artisans to promote their products, remarking that this had been very well received.