A strategic partnership agreement was signed yesterday in Rabat between the Ministry of State for Handicrafts, Social and Solidarity Economy, the Ministry of State for Foreign Trade, and the Dari Al-San’a Foundation, aimed at enhancing the presence of Moroccan handicrafts in international markets.
The agreement, which has an overall budget of 30 million dirhams for the years 2025 and 2026, outlines an ambitious framework for collaboration to support and develop Moroccan handicraft exports, boosting the competitiveness of stakeholders in this vital sector, in line with the new development model and the government program. The agreement was signed by the Secretary of State for Handicrafts, Social and Solidarity Economy, Lahcen Saadi, the Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Omar Hajira, and the Director General of Dari Al-San’a, Tariq Siddiq.
The agreement includes a series of structural measures, including support for companies and cooperatives in the handicraft sector to enhance their export capacity, the development of digital tools, and the application of artificial intelligence in foreign trade. It also encourages the creation of digital marketing platforms, enhances presence on major global e-commerce platforms, and improves the regulatory and statistical framework for export operations, which includes incorporating handicraft products into the coordinated customs tariff system (HS code) and studying mechanisms to cover risks associated with exporting Moroccan artisanal products.
This agreement embodies the importance of handicrafts in public policies aimed at enhancing national exports, representing a practical step to valorize Moroccan artisanal products and enhance their international reputation, as they are a fundamental element of the “Made in Morocco” brand. Through this partnership, handicraft companies and cooperatives will be integrated into support programs aimed at exporters, overseen by the Ministry of State for Foreign Trade.
In a press statement during the signing ceremony, Omar Hajira emphasized that handicrafts are the primary contributor to job creation in Morocco, employing about 2.4 million people. He added that the ministry is working to encourage institutions and artisans to move towards exports and access international markets, noting that Moroccan handicrafts are experiencing a notable boom and are gaining increasing attention, particularly from American markets, which are the largest importers of Moroccan zellige.
Hajira also stated that the agreement will grant Moroccan handicrafts access to global digital trade platforms and allow artisans to benefit from the smart “TijarIA” platform, which facilitates the process of obtaining information related to exports and foreign trade.
For his part, Lahcen Saadi confirmed that this agreement represents the result of strategic cooperation aimed at supporting artisans to boost Moroccan export volumes. He explained that Moroccan handicraft exports reached over 1.1 billion dirhams in 2024, increasing by 3% compared to 2023 and by 40% compared to 2019. This increase is evidence of the historical performance of this sector, which employs approximately 22% of the active workforce in Morocco.
Saadi highlighted that Moroccan handicrafts enjoy high demand in international markets, noting that zellige and Moroccan carpets are among the most popular products abroad.
The United States leads the list of countries importing Moroccan handicraft products, accounting for 44%, followed by France at 14%, and Spain at 6%. The pottery and stone branches, along with carpets, represent significant percentages of Moroccan handicraft exports, with pottery and stone making up 36% of total exports, followed by carpets at 20%.
