Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy Fatima Zahra Ammor said that 395,000 handicraft artisans are now registered in Morocco’s National Crafts Registry (RNA).
Responding to an oral question on Tuesday at the Upper House about the handicrafts sector, Ammor noted the importance of the sector’s registry in structuring and organizing the sector. She asserted that the registry has facilitated providing social benefits coverage for all producers of handicrafts.
The minister mentioned that Law 50.17 concerning the manufacture of handicrafts covers 172 professions, highlighting the sector’s crucial role in the Moroccan economy, in providing employment, and in preserving national heritage. She pointed out that the handicrafts sector contributes 7% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 22% of the active population.
Minister Ammor also noted ongoing efforts to enhance 62 training institutions in Morocco that would provide 30,000 educational opportunities for artisans, along with ongoing training for 15,000 individuals annually, and functional literacy programs available to 3,000 people each year.
In terms of financial support, the minister touted a partnership with financial institutions to offer new financing products to students. She highlighted the importance of expanding into international markets, improving quality, supervising production units, and meeting the demands of foreign consumers to promote craft products.
Ammor also underscored the protection of crafts as part of Morocco’s cultural heritage through UNESCO, highlighting the “Treasures of Moroccan Traditional Arts” program, in collaboration with UNESCO, that seeks to safeguard 32 culturally significant crafts. In 2023, the focus was on Blouza of Oujda (in northeastern Morocco), embroidered saddles, Zellige of Tetouan, tent weaving, embroidery of Salé, and musical instrument manufacturing. This program will cover additional crafts in 2024.
She went on to say that the ministry is focusing on ensuring high-quality standards, with 240 national and international registrations positioning Morocco as a leader in quality brand production in the handicrafts sector.
She added that the Handicrafts Department in the Ministry is collaborating with the Culture and Agriculture departments to register a Moroccan heritage brand globally in order to protect Morocco’s national tangible and intangible heritage.
Regarding the marketing of craft products, Ammor highlighted promotional campaign initiatives in Paris, participation in the Milan Furniture Fair in April 2024, and the presence of 33 Moroccan brands in Portugal.