Dushanbe, Tajikistan, April 16, 2021 – On April 8-9, the United States, through its Agency for International Development (USAID) hosted a two-day webinar: ‘Women in Crafts: Opportunities for Connectivity and Digital Trade’ for women artisans and handicraft producers across Afghanistan and Central Asia to better understand market demand, identify new markets, and improve product quality. This training was held as part of USAID’s Competitiveness, Trade and Jobs activity and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program and the Food and Agriculture Organization.
Over 100 participants from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan attended representing female artisans and handicraft producers, representatives from businesswomen associations, non-governmental organizations, e-commerce platforms, and the Afghan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industries. The learning event blended cultural heritage and traditions in making national apparel, carpets, and handicrafts with modern marketing knowledge, e-trade connectivity, and online sales platforms. It also included U.S. artisans experienced in business to consumer and business-to-business marketplaces.
Speaking at the webinar, Nigina Ikromi, Chairwoman of Creative Development from Tajikistan, noted, “While the pandemic has affected everyone, women artisans have suffered the most. Through the webinar, we will take one more step towards reducing the impact of this crisis and I hope with efforts’ consolidation of women leaders on the regional level, Tajik women will succeed in new markets.”
USAID will develop an e-catalog to broaden awareness of distinctive handmade products from Central Asia and Afghanistan. It will expand market access through new business models and e- platforms, and preserve local traditions, improve product quality, and reduce the environmental impact through innovative technologies. Collectively, these efforts will contribute to the long-term economic sustainability of women artisans in the region.
USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. For more information, visit the USAID Central Asia website: https://www.usaid.gov/central-asia-regional and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/USAIDCentralAsia.
