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Rabat – Morocco’s artisanal sector has achieved a record-breaking MAD 984 million ($100 million) by the end of November 2023, marking a significant 7% increase from the same period in 2022.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy Fatim-Zahra Ammor during a session of the Administrative Council in Rabat.
“Through strategic commercial partnerships, effective promotional activities, and the collaborative efforts of both public and private stakeholders, we have seen the fruition of our endeavors,” Ammor said.
She added that emphasis in the future will be on enhancing commercial and promotional activities, as well as improving the competitiveness of artisans to expedite exports.
Morocco’s artisanal sector holds a vital place in the country’s economic landscape, employing 2.4 million people (20% of the active workforce) and contributing 7% of the country’s GDP.
Notably, Fez alone boasts 80,000 artisan workshops employing around 200,000 individuals, representing 30% of the city’s labor force.
Director General of the Maison de l’Artisan Tarik Sadik highlighted key accomplishments for the year 2023, including the launch of support programs designed to enhance the competitiveness of a broad spectrum of artisans.
Read also: Moroccan Exports of Handicrafts Increased by 21% in July 2022
Earlier this month, the ministry launched three support programs in collaboration with the Maison de l’Artisan, aimed at boosting the competitiveness of craftspeople.
The “Program of Excellence” is the first of these programs and is offering 30 services and focuses on the carpet, and pottery and ceramics sectors by 2026, aiming to structure production units by supporting them across the entire value chain.
The second program, dedicated to export assistance, guides operators in accessing international markets, aspiring to strengthen the global presence and recognition of Moroccan craftsmanship and its products.
The third program, centered on supporting aggregators, bolsters aggregation capabilities to enhance the production and marketing of artisanal products, including through e-commerce platforms.
Additionally, this year’s results affirm the conclusions of the “Market Intelligence” initiative, initiated in April by the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy.
The initiative aimed at enhancing the understanding of global demand and market trends for Moroccan artisanal products.
The initial findings indicated a recognition exceeding 85% for the “Morocco Handmade” label in key importing markets.
