Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Representatives of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Washington held a video conference with the honorary consul of Uzbekistan in the United States of America, Carol Lopez (with a residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico), who is also on the board of directors of the largest in the world of the annual International Fair of Folk Art Objects, Dunyo reported.

During the online negotiations, issues of supporting domestic craftsmanship were discussed by assisting in the creation of electronic platforms for the promotion of objects of applied art, as well as enhancing trade and economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and companies in New Mexico.

It was noted that representatives of our country annually participate in the fair in Santa Fe, which brings together hundreds of artisans from more than five dozen countries. Usually, during the fair days, visitors purchase folk art goods worth about US$3 million. At the same time, participants from Uzbekistan are traditionally favorites of sales, gaining from US$250,000 to US$500,000 for their products. Given the high interest in the applied arts and culture of the Uzbek people, it was proposed to organize the mentioned online platform.

Lopez supported this initiative and assured that, together with American experts and local entrepreneurs, they will consider the issue of establishing export of Uzbek handicraft products to the United States.

In an interview with Dunyo, Lopez noted that it was a great honor for her to be the honorary consul of Uzbekistan in the United States of America. As a member of the Board of Directors of the largest international fair in Santa Fe, she said that this year, due to the spread of COVID-19, it was decided not to hold this event.

“Every year, several hundred artisans from all over the world participated in our exhibition,” she said. - Unfortunately, we had to cancel the current fair, but, nevertheless, all the participants who were selected this year, including excellent masters from Uzbekistan, will be automatically registered to show and sell their products in 2021. At the same time, we are working on the organization of special online trading platforms for the implementation of unique samples of applied art, especially the work of Uzbek masters, who annually amaze everyone with the elegance of their own products.

In the current pandemic, we, together with our colleagues in the United States and representatives of the Association of Artisans of Uzbekistan, will work on the creation of electronic trading platforms for the sale of their products.

I am very glad that in Uzbekistan special attention is paid to the support of artisans. The definition of their creative activity and works of art as an important component of building up the export potential of the republic is a very correct decision. What is being done in Uzbekistan in the framework of helping entrepreneurship in this direction is an important element in the development of the country’s economy, as well as preserving the amazing and amazing centuries-old culture of the Uzbek people.

In this regard, I urge all artisans to continue to work hard. I hope that all artisans, artists and art historians in the framework of the quarantine in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic spend time at home and enjoy doing their work. I would like to appeal to the artisans of Uzbekistan: you and your works are looking forward to our exhibitions in New Mexico, Texas, Wisconsin and other cities of the USA.