Ippolitos Prekas, a professional in the field of communication, appeals to the members of the financial committee of the Municipality of Kythera not to exclude the availability of works of art, artifacts, handicrafts, folk art from the Bazaar, in the regulation under development. The letter follows:
Dear compatriots,
I have been following with anxiety the developments regarding the new regulation that the municipal authority is promoting regarding the operation of the River Bazaar. It is necessary, at long last, that the bazaar be protected and operate within a framework with all the legal provisions and beneficial provisions.
I would like to express my concern about the will to remove the activity of selling works of art, works of art, handicrafts and folk art from the Bazaar.
I appeal to you not to let this important activity, which is the soul of cottage industry and a comparative advantage for the product offered by our country and our country, be taken away.
I will report that:
1. In Greece, the municipalities and the governments take care of the works of art, handicrafts, handicrafts of folk art in every way. A brief search on the internet will enlighten you.
2. The new cottage industry in the Covid-19 era and beyond has experienced tremendous growth.
(https://www.in.gr/2020/06/27/economy/oikonomikes-eidiseis/nea-astiki-oikotexnia-den-fovatai-ton-covid-19/)
3. Handmade creations are now one of the fastest growing online markets worldwide. I suggest you check out the data for the largest global online «bazaar» ETSY.COM based in the USA, with annual revenues of over 600 million. Tens of thousands of Greeks sell their handicrafts today through it (over 134,000 products on ETSY.COM). So do many Kytherians.
4.I have examples of my clients here in Kythera who are active in ETSY.COM. They also participate in the Potamos bazaar, having the opportunity to meet future clients who will find them tomorrow in ETSY.COM (details at your disposal).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etsy
5. The bazaar can be a driving force for cottage industry, handicrafts, arts and crafts, to support small producers, artists and creators who cannot sell their products in shops. Note that their products are not competitive and are not chosen by retailers as they are considered very expensive. It is no coincidence that retail stores in Greece sell a higher percentage of cheaper products, usually of Chinese origin.
From my professional experience, in recent years, with daily involvement in e-commerce issues, I have to submit to you the opinion that the bazaar and, by extension, the support of small creators, can be the spearhead of the new product of our island.
I remain at your disposal to put forward proposals that can contribute to the formulation of a comprehensive plan to support cottage industry.
Once again I urge you to think very seriously about your decisions.
With patriotic greetings,
Ippolytos Prekas
