Gateway El Salvador
The products preserve the Salvadoran seal of identity, but they are produced like crafts with value added
that can compete in international markets like Italy, France, Germany and the United States, among others.
The project "Reach", fruit of an agreement between the National Commission of the Micro and Pequeña
Company (CONAMYPE) and AID to Aritsans (IT TIES), aid to the craftsmen to design products in agreement
with the requirements of the international market, from January of 2003. In addition, it works to integrate
the producers in distribution systems that improve the viability of their company and they allow them to grow economically.
"The key to the success is to generate new designs that create an interest in the Salvadoran product", responds Christian Nadeau, regional director of TIES.
Thanks to the program, about 1,125 designs new designs have been developed, of which 40% already have a physical sample. In order to preserve the Salvadoran authenticity, the original techniques used by the craftsmen have been preserved and a viñeta to each product is placed, with its history.
According to Nadeau, the international market includes products that are not limited to be decorative, but that is utilitarian. In addition, the price is very important and "to work thinking them about the market, thinking about the buyer", it emphasizes.
Craftsmen benefit
There are more than 900 craftsmen this program, which has allowed that the Salvadoran crafts to gain exposure at important international fairs. From this they have gained a foothold in the export markets to Central American countries, European and the United States. The accumulated sales of crafts, from the project, come near to a million dollars. Only in exports, the program has sales of $233,000.
In order to show the products that are already being sold, the exhibition will be carried out today "Innovation and design: the new crafts of El Salvador ", in the Museum of Modern Art. As this one is not open to the public, the crafts will be transferred tomorrow to center TUPAL, in street to Huizúcar, so that all the Salvadorans can observe the profits of the program.
Jose Nerio is a native of Nahuizalco, one of the four zones where there is CEDART and in which focuses the program "Reach" (Sonsonate, Cabins, Chalatenango and Morazán). The son of craftsman, he has been working for years with natural fibers and wood.
"Thanks to the program my crafts are in New York. Also the last year I went to show them to the Hiper Paiz, in Guatemala ", he comments. In addition, it emphasizes that it has managed to increase his sales and that until can sell in the American embassy, where "pay what one says to them. They value the work."
A novel program has opened to new markets for the Salvadoran craftsmen and has increased the sales of these with international chains.
New designs for the Export Craft Market
New designs for export
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