MEXICO CITY — Nearly seven million Mexican artisans will have access to social security, obtain credits and receive additional resources, as a part of joining the formal economy, announced President Enrique Peña Nieto.
During the awards ceremony for the XLI National Competition of Folk Art Grand Prize, the president said that “It is not about charging more taxes, it is about bringing them into formality, for those who are artisans are subject to many benefits.”
He explained that with the collaborative agreement between the Tax Administration Service (SAT) and the National Fund for the Promotion of Folk Art (Fonart) now signed, artisans will have access to credit, social security, and will have more support and other benefits derived from being a part of the formal economy.
The effort is so that artisan crafters have more support and dignified recognition, Peña Nieto said at the ceremony held in the Adolfo López Mateos room of the official residence at Los Pinos, attended by the governors of Chiapas, Manuel Velazco; Hidalgo, Francisco Olvera Ruiz; Michoacan, Silvano Aureoles, and the State of Mexico, Eruviel Ávila.
He noted that through the Fonart, there has been incorporated into the National Register of Craftsmen 60 percent more creators since the year 2012, in addition they have provided more support through subsidies, and pushed actions to avoid middlemen.
After touring the exhibition consisting of 44 pieces, some of which were the winners of the contest, Peña Nieto announced that the National Institute of Entrepreneurship will grant support of 50,000 pesos to artisans who join the formal economy, and resources up to 150,000 pesos to young entrepreneurs between 18 and 30 years old.
After delivering three artisans National Folk Art Grand Prize awards, the president highlighted four actions carried out by his administration to promote craft development, including the creation of the National Register of Craftsmen and formality incorporation.
In addition, the Mexican Craft Observatory will incorporate a database to identify patterns produced domestically, set national indicators that can define artisanal tourist corridors, and establish a strategy of occupational health, seeking to prevent and mitigate illnesses and accidents resulting from the craft.
In turn, the head of the Social Development Secretariat (SEDESOL) José Antonio Meade Kuribreña said that few prizes are as relevant in their economic magnitude.
He said that the marketing of Mexican artisanal crafts is desirable, including electronic platforms, as well as recognition of the artisans — however, he stressed that it should also work toward inclusion.
He explained that this is to ensure that the artisans have health services, access to education and perceive higher incomes.
In this edition of the contest, there participated 2,200 artisans from 26 states, and 141 pieces were awarded in 19 categories, or craft branches, plus for the first time three recognitions were awarded to the artisanal trajectory.