Formalization of artisans and new markets are central axes of the National Crafts Policy

Asunción, IP Agency.- The inter-institutional table of the National Crafts Policy (PNA) was formed in order to generate sources of decent work and value chains; as well as the promotion of new markets inside and outside the country.

It is made up of 15 institutions, including the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, through the Vice Ministry of Mipymes and led by the Paraguayan Institute of Crafts (IPA).

Formalization, as well as the promotion of new markets inside and outside the country, will be the central axes of working with the Vice Ministry of MSMEs.

The goal is to promote a governance model of the National Crafts Policy, which articulates public institutions from the three levels of Government with each other, managing to transfer this articulation to the private sector, civil society and, in particular, artisans’ organizations and The academy.

The National Crafts Policy (PNA) is the roadmap that State institutions will follow between 2024 and 2030, to turn crafts into a central piece of the sustainable development of Paraguay, based on its contribution to the economy, culture and environment.

This alliance will also become a development tool with training and innovation processes for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the craft sector.

The Vice Ministry of MSMEs also plans to execute a permanent technical assistance and advisory service for entrepreneurs dedicated to this field.

Paraguayan crafts to the world and training

The MIC will seek to promote the diversification of craft marketing channels in Paraguay, differentiated strategies for the export of crafts and electronic commerce.

The Interinstitutional Roundtable will work to expand and innovate the skills of artisans with training programs, added to a differentiated plan to support indigenous artisans and the development of preparation on the right to intellectual property.

Artisan sector in numbers

According to the PNA, the departments where the largest number of artisans are concentrated are Central, Paraguarí, Guairá and Cordillera. Seven out of 10 artisans are women, while 7 out of 10 are over 44 years old, and 3 out of 10 are between 18 and 44 years old.

According to the social profile, 80% earn less than the minimum wage and although there is no official data, indirect evidence informs about an absolute majority that lacks social security, like the rest of society, therefore that it is essential to reach them with information about the different benefits of formalization and to have a MSME Certificate.

Currently, 2 out of 10 artisans use a legal invoice and use the banking service. The degree of informality is lower than the country’s average and according to the report, the percentage of artisans who use the Internet service to promote their products is 89.1%, with only 16.4% using this modality to the sale of their products.

Who makes up the table?

The inter-institutional table of the National Crafts Policy (PNA), is led by the Paraguayan Institute of Crafts (IPA) and is made up of:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE).

Ministry of Social Development (MDS).

Ministry of women.

Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADES).

Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTESS).

Vice Ministry of MSMEs (MIC).

Governorates of Cordillera, Central, Boquerón and Guairá.

National Secretariat of Culture (SNC).

National Secretariat of Tourism (SENATUR).

National Institute Of The Indigenous (INDI).