In a joint effort to promote artisanal culture and stimulate the regional economy, Autopistas del Café, the Government of Caldas and the Mayor’s Office of Manizales, with the support of the Corporation for the Development of Caldas, signed an agreement for the construction of the Tambo Artesano . This project is conceived as a commercial showcase that will be located in the emblematic Tambo La Manuela, where local artisans and entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to exhibit and sell their products, thus giving them a platform to reach new markets and clients.
Mauricio Vega Lemus, general manager of Autopistas del Café, highlighted the importance of this project for the region: “The Tambo Artesano de Caldas not only seeks to boost the economy of small artisans, but also contribute to recognition and generate a significant income for them and their families. “This is one more step in our commitment to the economic and social development of the Coffee Region.”
The Mayor of Manizales, Jorge Eduardo Rojas, highlighted the relevance of Autopistas del Café in the region and its role in the development of this project: “Coffee Highways is the backbone of the Coffee Axis, and its support is essential for the success of initiatives such as the Tambo Artesano, which promote competitiveness and development.”
The governor of Caldas, Henry Gutiérrez Ángel, expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for the project: “Today we received an invaluable gift from Autopistas del Café. “This exclusive space for our artisans is a testament to their unconditional support and an open invitation to all to enjoy the beauty of our department.”
The construction of Tambo Artesano is scheduled to begin in the second half of this year, with an investment of more than 100 million pesos. This project is a clear example of how collaboration between the public and private sectors can result in initiatives that benefit the entire community.
“We have already done it in Quindio and Risaralda, we were missing Caldas and we are happy to have achieved the will of the governor and the mayor in a program that seeks to dignify the work of artisans; that they can exhibit their products for free in a top-class venue to the thousands of visitors who pass through the Tambos. The potential is enormous since in recent years more than two million people have passed through,” he pointed out.
For his part, Germán Maldonado González, executive director of the Corporation for the Development of Caldas and main ally of the Secretariat of Development, Employment and Innovation of Caldas in the leadership of the Caldas Crafts program, mentioned: “We are very happy, we will join us to the Government in this effort and we are sure that through the Tambo Artesano they will be able to support the artisans of our department; We know that their biggest challenge is often the marketing of their products, since they work in rural places far from the city, so they will be able to exhibit them here. We hope that tourists can take home handmade gifts.”
BC News
