Antigua hosts second Fair Trade Exhibition

Walter Sactic , December 9, 2011

The second Fair Trade and Social Economy Exhibition of Guatemala – organised jointly by the Comisión Interinstitucional, the Ministry of Economy and Uniterra – took place in Antigua, November 11 to 13. According to the comments collected by our team at the exhibition, the three days were very profitable and the producers were able to sell all their products. And there was a warm response and interest for the theme by the public.The following article was written by Walter Sactic and published in Prensa Libre.com (as well as the photo), November 12, 2011.

ANTIGUA GUATEMALA HOSTS THE FAIR TRADE EXHIBITION

A 2nd National Fair Trade and Solidarity Economy Exhibition was held this weekend in Antigua Guatemala, with the objective of increasing commercial exchange opportunities and informing [the public] on responsible consumption.

The commercial activity, which started yesterday and will end tomorrow, is an initiative of craftsmen, private institutions, international cooperation and the Guatemala Ministry of Economy.

The Exhibition, set up in the main corridor of the Captain’s Palace, showcases and promotes a variety of products from over 20,000 small producers [women and men] from all over the country. The objective of these producers grouped in trade association and members of 45 participating organisations is to do business according to the concept of fair and responsible trade.

Miriam Otzin, a representative of Maya Works-Guatemala, believes the exhibition is a space that showcases the work of rural women in the process of product manufacturing.

"The idea behind this exhibition is that people understand and see the difference between fair trade and conventional trade, given that fair trade represents dialogue, transparency, respect of traditions and the environment, while conventional trade is just the contrary", adds Otzin.

Authorities and coordinators mention that the exhibition has the support of public and private organisations, such as the Asociación Tikonel, Casa Cervantes, the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI), Fundación Mayaworks, Fundación Social de España and Taiwan Cooperation.

The objective of fair trade, says the Minister of Economy Luís Velásquez, is that producers get better profits in their communities, consumers buy more quality products and intermediaries facilitate the work enabling producers and consumers to benefit from the exchange.