Rabat – Jamila El Moussali, State Secretary for Handicraft and Social Economy met with India’s Minister of State for Tourism K.J. Alphons in New Delhi, on Thursday, February 1.
In the spirit of both governments’ desire to work together more, the two officials discussed new ways to cooperate in the field of handicrafts, reported the state news agency MAP.
During the meeting, in which Morocco’s Ambassador to India Mohamed Malki was also present, El Moussali gave a brief overview of Morocco’s experience in the handicrafts sector, noting that the sector is an important pillar of the country’s social economy.
The Moroccan official said that the meeting reflects the ongoing desire to strengthen South-South cooperation and recalled the visit paid by King Mohammed VI to India in October 2015 to participate in the 3rd “India-Africa” Forum Summit in New Delhi.
This meeting comes as part of Morocco’s first participation in the Surajkund International Crafts Mela, with a delegation made up of 27 artisans.
“Handicraft and tourism can promote the development of closer ties between the two peoples,” the Moroccan diplomat said.
The Indian official praised the strong relations between the two countries, adding that bilateral cooperation could expand to comprise other sectors of activity, including tourism, considering that nearly 23 million Indians go abroad for holidays.
El Moussali also met with Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Mubashir Javed Akbar.
The 32nd Surajkund International Crafts Mela is taking place from February 2 to 18 with the participation of more than 20 countries.
Since 2014, Morocco’s handicrafts are increasingly in demand around the world. Traditional clothing topped the list of exported products, accounting for a 23 percent share of the sector’s export turnover.
To date, Arabic speaking countries represent the main export market for Moroccan handicrafts receiving 29 percent of the sector’s exports, followed by the US at 23 percent.
