Guatemala. The AGEXPORT Crafts Commission, for more than 16 years, has transformed the New World Crafts (NWC) regional exhibition into a business platform and international positioning of artisans, MSMEs, small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurs, designers and exporters, and through which have placed their handcrafted products. hands that carry Guatemalan culture with export quality in specialty shops and markets, meeting the trends demanded by consumers.

According to experts, this trend that marks 2023 is embodied in more sustainable products with added value. Under this line, more than 80 SMEs from Guatemala and Central America will present a wide range of bags, shoes, accessories, household products, personal items and Christmas collections, unique and unrepeatable because they are handcrafted by artisans, using materials and materials. artisan production techniques, ranging from textiles, wood, ceramics, natural fibres, leather, beads, blown glass, to recycled materials, wax and wrought iron.

“Today, the fair is positioned as a bridge that empowers artisans, retailers, designers and brands to sell their products in international markets, and this edition is no exception, as we look forward to bringing in more than 80 buyers from the United States. States, Canada , Europe, Mexico, Chile, among other countries”, commented the president of NEW WORLD CRAFTS, Lucrecia de González.

The handmade sector represents more than one million artisans, most of whom are women. The AGEXPORT Handmade Commission estimates that as of December 2022, the sector exported approximately $93,572.99, growing by 4% on the remainder of the previous year and it is projected that the sector will grow by 20% during 2023, reaching at least $1 trillion by 2024 .

Global trends in the handmade sector; perfecting the creative process of handmade products; promote the growth of light manufacturing enterprises; including international conferences that will be given during the New World Crafts Fair

This year there will be expert speakers such as: Sabrina Iken, a consultant with international experience in the UK, USA and Latin America with the theme “Global trends 2023 in home decor in the handmade sector”; Kessa Laxton is a goal-driven product designer and developer and will be presenting “Product Design and Development, Perfecting Your Creative Process”; Claudia Rosales is Country Project Manager for Women’s Empowerment for Central America WE4CA MEDA implementing project, economist, MBA and PhD candidate from UNINI and will participate as leader of a Panel with other excellent business leaders called “The Importance of Inclusive and Innovative Financing” ; Carmen Gerea is the founder of FREED, a specialist in e-commerce and user experience (UX), the theme is “Designing shopping journeys in e-commerce, omnichannel content to position brands” and Lorena Moreno, international business consultant in fashion , will participate with the conference “Mexico, ally for exporting Handmade”. In addition, there will also be discussions on “International Exhibitions relevant to the Handmade Sector” with the support of TFO CANADA.

“Year after year, companies from the AGEXPORT Craft Sector stand out by presenting at the NWC show the latest collections of handmade products, made in ancestral techniques such as: pedal looms, waist looms, hand embroidery, knitting, hand carving; and various materials such as: natural fibers, recycled materials, glass, clay and others, which give each craft uniqueness and special value; The added value this year is that they will also be able to see the latest trends that stand out in the world and also the importance of being on a virtual platform such as e-commerce”, emphasized the President of AGEXPORT. The Hand Made Commission, Emma Gutierrez.

The sixteenth Edition of the NWC will be held on 28 February and 1 March 2023 at Casa Santo Domingo, Antigua Guatemala, international and national buyers and sectors with an interest in unions of artisanal and handmade products are invited, such as designers, manufacturers, marketers and service product suppliers and input, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), public institutions and universities, as well as the general public who wish to make purchases of unique items, with history and made with the artisanal art of Guatemala and the Central American region.

A huge thank you to all the sponsors and allies who made this event possible. Thanks to Banco Industrial, PAYSEND, UTZ BOX, PROACTIVOS for their contributions in coverage, promotion and for providing valuable payment options to our exhibitors and buyers. We thank our allies the Ministry of Economy and INGUAT, from the field of international cooperation MEDA Canada, the European Union Delegation in Guatemala and Swisscontact, who through their programs have made a positive and long-term impact on MSMEs in the handicraft sector and on the NWC trading platform; Thanks to all the companies and partners who have directly contributed to its scope of success.

Within the framework of EU support, it should be noted that “one of the chains supported by the Pro-Resilience Program is handicrafts made with natural fibers indigenous to the area, as well as embroidery implemented using techniques passed down from generation to generation. . They are carried out by women from Guatemala’s dry corridor, who, in an effort to diversify and increase their income, have been trained in new product techniques and designs, thereby improving the quality of life for them and their families. On the other hand, it is possible to increase the country’s exportable supply, through new and nostalgic products. Pro-Resiliencia is run in partnership with the World Food Program (WFP) and is financed by the European Union (EU)”.

Similarly, the “Prosperous Adjacency Zone Project, financed by the European Union and implemented by AGEXPORT, seeks to improve the value chain in a sustainable manner and promote markets with quality products, such as products made by artisan hands, using the right raw materials from Adjacent Zones, which will encourage Guatemala to continue to establish itself as an exporting country.”

Water fountain. AGEXPORT