The Guild Villages of Ecuador
International Living Postcards--your daily escape Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006 Ecuador offers wonderful opportunities for import-export entrepreneurs--we know many Americans who actually operate from here. The government has gone out of its way to encourage new business investments from offshore. Equal treatment is given to local and foreign investors, so you'll receive the same rights of entry into markets as locals. Practically all sectors are open to investors. Profits and capital can be repatriated without restriction, and business in general should continue to benefit from the increasing stability and visibility provided by dollarization. Plus the country has: * Multitudes of unique products * Easy relations with craftsmen * Good communication * Great prices * Excellent follow-through * A chance to make a difference in people's lives * Favorable import/export laws The Spanish brought the guild system to Ecuador with them from Europe. This means that instead of searching all over the country, you can go directly to the one village that specializes in your interest. For leather work, go to Cotacachi. For woodcarving, San Antonio de Ibarra. For embroidery, Zuleta. For filigree jewelry, Chordeleg. For weaving, Bulcay-Ikat. Guitar makers are in San Bartolome, sweater makers are to be found in the Paute River, pottery makers in Gualaceo, and hundreds more. Plus, there's Otavalo, the greatest indigenous market in South America. Now, many Ecuadorian villagers have organized themselves into small co-operatives. Some 6,500 families have come together under the umbrella of an organization called Camari (http://www.camari.org/EN). Its aim is to promote fair trade and improve the living conditions of small agricultural and artisanal producers by assisting with production and selling methods. As Camari puts it, "For small producers, the commercialization of their wares has been the principle obstacle to their economic prosperity--there had simply always been a large number of those looking to take advantage whether they we re the vendors, intermediaries, money lenders, transporters or all of the above." Ecuador is organized. You can go to a single village and talk with dozens of people, look at their wares, and pick the best. Steenie Harvey
Intrepid Explorer, International Living Editor's note: Don't forget: You have 3 days left to get the Ultimate Treasure Hunter's Kit and Caboodle. Inspired by Marco Polo, the ultimate importer-exporter, this soup-to-nuts program will set you up as his modern day equivalent in 10 short weeks. | 
