15 rural MSMEs in Guatemala promote their handmade products on digital platforms
15 MSMEs led by women in the departments of Huehuetenango, Sololá, San Marcos, Suchitepéquez, Quetzaltenango, Chimaltenango and Guatemala, were part of the Project “Technification of rural MSMEs led by women for economic recovery“, executed by the organization Comunidades de la Tierra, the Association of Guatemalan Exporters(AGEXPORT) and the GEF Small Grants Program, implemented by the UNDP.
This project benefited a total of 400 artisans who strengthened their business skills for the commercialization of their products using electronic commerce tools, as a means of economic recovery for enterprises and micro-enterprises from different value chains, including those in the handicrafts, clothing and textile.
“Evidence suggests that when rural businesses led by women are supported, the environment of the family and the community is changed. A woman entrepreneur who generates her own income has the ability to reduce poverty and improve her well-being, her family and her environment”, highlighted Connie de Paiz, director of the AGEXPORT Women’s Committee.
Once the suitable electronic market was selected for each company, the leaders attended workshops focused on product design and advice to adapt their products to the selected electronic markets, taking into account their productive and technical capacities.
“UNDP has the capacity and responsibility to integrate gender equality into all aspects of its work: from ending gender-based violence, addressing climate change with women on the ground, and advancing women’s leadership in business and politics; based on Sustainable Development Goal 5, on gender equality. Empowering women and girls has demonstrated time and time again to have a multiplier effect and help promote economic growth and development globally,” said UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Daniel Vargas.
Finally, when the potential products had been selected, the companies focused on achieving access to electronic markets. Together with a digital consultant, the companies uploaded descriptions of each product, photographs of the prototypes, and created online stores for their profiles.
Finally, the MiPymes had the opportunity to participate in the New World Crafts Regional Fair (NWC) in 2021, the largest fair in the artisan sector in Central America, where they presented their products to high-level buyers through a digital catalog, generating business opportunities in several international markets.
They will also participate in the 2022 version in person, which will improve their opportunities to consolidate their sales and position their products nationally and internationally.
