MiCultura supports production of covid-19 artisan masks

The Ministry of Culture, through the National Handicrafts Directorate, works with a group of Panamanian crafts to make "cover" masks with covid-19 protection with native and simply Panamanian designs, following the specifications of the Ministry of Health for the care of people using them.

Jaime Luna, National Director of Crafts, explained that about 400 talented crafts from their homes and with their own inputs and machinery are designing and manufacturing this type of washing and reusable masks.

"The work of our entrepreneurial women, who seek original ways to achieve daily sustenance to each of their families and greatly affected by this terrible pandemic, has prompted us to give them the support, with the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Authority, that joins with the initiative to develop a catalogue that will facilitate the commercial vision of this undertaking necessary for them," said Luna.

Shalima Murillo, General Secretary of AMSMEs, emphasized that we are currently working with MiCultura and the artisans in a virtual catalogue where each of them contributes the photo and details of their product, in this case, the artisan masks with their respective design, specifications and price.

In this respect, the ministry does a job of curing this great number of crafts jobs, selecting the best from the artisan manufacturing industry to present a solid sample that they can market online.

"In light of these unusual circumstances in our history, we wish our artisans to be integrated into the fight against Covid.19, contributing their talent and skills. In the case of mascarillas with different models for children, ladies and gentlemen, each with its creator's seal and creativity. They are unique, clear and secure pieces with necessary filters and materials, in accordance with international standards of health care institutions," adds Luna.

The National Board of Crafts of the Ministry of Culture has a database with more than 21 thousand registered national artisans, about 16 thousand of them at national level, participating in fair events and selling from their own businesses.

Of the total number of artisan and artisan who cooperate with the ministry, Luna emphasized that they are intended to train them all with the specifications of the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health.

"At the moment, we are promoting them with anti-fluid and best quality materials from social networks at prices that are widely accessible to all. The same artisan have been using their photos or videos and have been put up for sale on their platforms," remarked Luna.