Moroccan craftsmanship plays a crucial role in tourism activity in Morocco by contributing to the cultural appeal and immersive experience of visitors. During a recent session of oral questions in the Chamber of Advisors, the Minister of Tourism, Crafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy, Fatima Zahraa Ammor, declared that “the resumption of tourism is accompanied by a significant recovery of the traditional industrial sector”. After a year of shutdown due to the health and economic crisis, export turnover from craft sales resumed its growth in 2021, reaching a value of around 900 million dirhams (MDH), an increase of more than 50% compared to 2020. In 2022, exports of craft goods experienced a significant increase, reaching a value of more than 890 million dirhams. (MDH), an increase of 50% compared to 2021.
Currently, visible improvements are observed in sales of artisanal products. The relevant ministry expects the outlook for the traditional industrial sector to remain promising and positive. However, Ms. Ammor emphasizes that despite the resumption of tourism with the arrival of 12.3 million tourists to date, the objective is to reach 14 million tourists by the end of the current year. This growth is reinforced by significant figures concerning exports of traditional industry products. During the current year, the sector recorded growth of 8%, not including products purchased by tourists. The ministry plans to reach 10 billion dirhams in 2023, depending on the number of tourists visiting, she adds. Ms. Ammor indicated that this recovery is also evident in the eyes of actors in the Moroccan tourism system, because there is a “growing demand for registrations in professional training centers affiliated with the traditional industrial sector”. She notes that the number of registrations increased from 12,000 in 2022 to 16,000 people in 2023, and it is expected to reach 19,000 people registered in 2024. The ministry is committed to rehabilitating the artisanal industry sector in Morocco, by transforming it from an informal sector into a well-structured, modern and competitive sector, through two axes: “the structuring and organization of the sector” and “the development of the offer and marketing”. The first axis is based on the application of Law No. 50.17 relating to the exercise of craft activities and all its implementing texts. The minister highlights that 172 works were undertaken to rehabilitate infrastructure, provide support and training, as well as improve sales and marketing techniques. In this context, the ministry has already visited more than 3,500 traditional craft workshops in areas affected by the earthquake, and support is planned and granted to these workshops which will be registered in the national register of traditional crafts.
Source: maroc-diplomatique.net
