The products of Turkmen handicraftsmen were included in the catalog “Traveling through the workshops of handicraftswomen of Central Asia”, which was published by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in digital and printed versions.

The publication features the skillful products of 50 artisans from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Their work showcases their exceptional craftsmanship to the world, and publication in the catalog opens up new commercial opportunities for their business.

For many generations, arts and crafts have formed the rich heritage and traditions of the people. Arts such as carpet weaving and textiles, embroidery, silk production, wood carving, metalworking, ceramics, jewelry making and other types of crafts have been preserved through the centuries thanks to tireless daily work and the tradition of continuity of craft skills from the older generation.

In the modern world, women in rural regions, thanks to their skillful mastery of crafts, bring income to the family and are also guardians of cultural heritage.

The “Traveling through the workshops of handicraftswomen of Central Asia” catalog aims to promote economic independence, cultural preservation and gender equality. When managed well and connected to wider markets, crafts have the potential to significantly increase income, improve education levels and significantly improve the quality of life of rural families, especially women and girls.

The catalog is the result of a fruitful collaboration between USAID's Central Asia Trade Program, the Smithsonian Institution, and the U.S. Department of Commerce's Business Law Development Program (CLDP).

In addition to the publication itself, the project team also provided training on craft marketing strategies, as well as best practices for using the catalog to promote craft practices and businesses.