Rabat — Morocco’s social economy and handicrafts sector serves a central role in preserving and promoting local heritage, according to the country’s Secretary of State for Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy, Lahcen Saadi.
Saadi made these remarks during the opening ceremony of the second Regional Exhibition of Social and Solidarity Economy in Ouarzazate, which runs from September 17-22.
“This sector helps protect and pass down local heritage to future generations,” Saadi explained, noting that “it also improves local development indicators and living conditions for residents, especially women and young people.”
The minister noted several support programs that assist beneficiaries through national and international partnerships. These programs include “Mouazara,” “Tahfiz Nisoua,” “Lalla Mutaawina,” and “Jil Mutadamin.”
Exhibition features training and marketing opportunities
The exhibition gives cooperatives a chance to show and market their products while highlighting traditional, agricultural, and regional goods, Saadi noted.
The six-day event will feature training sessions and workshops designed to help participants strengthen their skills, particularly in investment and marketing areas.
This year’s exhibition welcomes 320 exhibitors representing cooperatives, economic interest groups, and productive associations. The event also displays 15 pavilions dedicated to institutional partners.
The exhibition includes a dedicated space for training courses and workshops aimed at building capabilities among professionals active in marketing, entrepreneurship, networking, and project development.
Regional partnership initiative
The Draa-Tafilalet Regional Council organized this exhibition, creating a platform to share the experiences of the social and solidarity sector.
The event operates under an agreement signed between the State Secretariat for Traditional Crafts and Social and Solidarity Economy, the Regional Council, and the Draa-Tafilalet Regional Prefecture.
The exhibition demonstrates Morocco’s commitment to developing its social economy sector while preserving traditional crafts and cultural heritage for future generations.
