The Ministry of Tourism and the Handcraft House signed two partnership agreements with Moroccan carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM) and UPS Morocco, on Wednesday in Rabat, to support the competitiveness of the crafts sector.
The primary goal of these agreements is to provide advantageous rates for international shipping of Moroccan handicraft items to those listed on the National Handicraft Register (RNA) and the Local Register of Exporters of Handicraft items (RLEPA).
These actions constitute part of the Ministry’s attempts to enhance craft product exports.
The collaborative efforts highlight a broader export support program which the Ministry plans to undertake, with the goal of increasing product presence in international markets by providing full logistics management services with competitive rates.
Handicrafts Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor highlighted the cultural and economic importance of the crafts sector, which contributes 7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 2.4 million people (nearly 22% of the working population).
Ammor reiterated her department’s commitment to placing higher priorities on key areas for export development, particularly international promotion and strengthening the viability of stakeholders within this sector, the valuation of which reached an all-time high of one billion MAD in 2022.
Managing Director of Handcraft House Tarik Sadik praised the initiative and emphasized the importance of signing this agreement in promoting Moroccan crafts through various media.
This partnership would allow craftsmen registered with the RNA to benefit from discounted prices for their international transportation activities.
RAM’s Vice President Yassine Berrada emphasized that the partnership will help to boost Moroccan crafts exports by providing a favorable rate to artisans registered with the RNA.
General Manager of UPS North Africa Benoît Biard stated that this arrangement will boost craft exports to the rest of the globe while also validating the degree of artisans’ expertise.