Creation of 5,000 New Jobs
16 August 2011
Read by 3083 persons
The city of Fes aims to create, by 2013, no less than 5,000 new jobs in the artistic craft sector with a strong cultural content.
Data from the regional delegation of crafts indicates that achieving this objective, among many others included in the Regional Development Plan for Crafts (PDRA), involves implementing six major axes and some 37 projects.
These axes concern support for the production of sole artisans, the promotion of marketing, support for the upgrading of small and medium-sized enterprises, promotional activities and training, but also other horizontal measures and social services for artisans. In detail, the section dedicated to supporting production consists, among other things, in improving the supply of craft products by creating new models, promoting quality and production processes, grouping artisans, encouraging the use of environmentally friendly materials and implementing a product certification program. In the marketing promotion section, large-scale operations are being carried out at points of sale to make them more attractive. This includes the upgrading of historical places, Foundouks, sales areas and craft complexes, but also the creation of tourist circuits dedicated to crafts and the publication of promotional guides.
The aspect relating to upgrading the SME fabric is of paramount importance in the actions established by the PDRA, through the launch of technical assistance and competitiveness support measures, encouraging artisans to group together in SMEs and the creation of a new craft activity zone exclusively dedicated to this category of businesses. The PDRA also focuses on marketing a good image of the crafts of the Idrisside city, through participation in international trade shows and fairs, the organization of regional fairs, the establishment of a commercial sign for the region's crafts and support for the marketing of the production of sole artisans in rural areas. Training is a priority. The plan provides, in this sense, for the implementation of a master plan for vocational training in the craft sector, the upgrading of an apprenticeship training center, the establishment of a continuing education program for sole artisans and SMEs and the launch of information and awareness campaigns for artisans on the importance of continuing education. Other horizontal measures are also part of the regional development plan for the sector, including awareness-raising actions on new financing formulas, health insurance products and tax incentives. The craft sector in the Fes-Boulemane region contributes 47% of national exports of craft products. It is also the source of income for nearly 33% of the population of the city of Fes and more than 75% of the inhabitants of the medina.
Traditional weaving art
Thirty thousand artisans practice their skills in the medina of Fes el-Bali. Potters and ceramists (zelliges of Fes) have made the city's reputation. The crafts of Fes have always been intimately linked to the history of the city of Fes, where this sector constitutes the basis of the economic fabric; moreover, traditional crafts have contributed to making Fes a center of civilizational and artistic influence. The classification of the Idrisside city by UNESCO as a universal heritage Fes carpet, traditional weaving art in Morocco is by no means accidental, but should rather be considered as recognition from the international community of the value of its contributions to the universal heritage in the field of authentic traditional arts; contributions evidenced by the numerous monuments and architectural works that abound in the spiritual and cultural capital of the Kingdom of Morocco.
Published August 7, 2011.
Posted online August 16, 2011.
Lematin.ma
Data from the regional delegation of crafts indicates that achieving this objective, among many others included in the Regional Development Plan for Crafts (PDRA), involves implementing six major axes and some 37 projects.
These axes concern support for the production of sole artisans, the promotion of marketing, support for the upgrading of small and medium-sized enterprises, promotional activities and training, but also other horizontal measures and social services for artisans. In detail, the section dedicated to supporting production consists, among other things, in improving the supply of craft products by creating new models, promoting quality and production processes, grouping artisans, encouraging the use of environmentally friendly materials and implementing a product certification program. In the marketing promotion section, large-scale operations are being carried out at points of sale to make them more attractive. This includes the upgrading of historical places, Foundouks, sales areas and craft complexes, but also the creation of tourist circuits dedicated to crafts and the publication of promotional guides.
The aspect relating to upgrading the SME fabric is of paramount importance in the actions established by the PDRA, through the launch of technical assistance and competitiveness support measures, encouraging artisans to group together in SMEs and the creation of a new craft activity zone exclusively dedicated to this category of businesses. The PDRA also focuses on marketing a good image of the crafts of the Idrisside city, through participation in international trade shows and fairs, the organization of regional fairs, the establishment of a commercial sign for the region's crafts and support for the marketing of the production of sole artisans in rural areas. Training is a priority. The plan provides, in this sense, for the implementation of a master plan for vocational training in the craft sector, the upgrading of an apprenticeship training center, the establishment of a continuing education program for sole artisans and SMEs and the launch of information and awareness campaigns for artisans on the importance of continuing education. Other horizontal measures are also part of the regional development plan for the sector, including awareness-raising actions on new financing formulas, health insurance products and tax incentives. The craft sector in the Fes-Boulemane region contributes 47% of national exports of craft products. It is also the source of income for nearly 33% of the population of the city of Fes and more than 75% of the inhabitants of the medina.
Traditional weaving art
Thirty thousand artisans practice their skills in the medina of Fes el-Bali. Potters and ceramists (zelliges of Fes) have made the city's reputation. The crafts of Fes have always been intimately linked to the history of the city of Fes, where this sector constitutes the basis of the economic fabric; moreover, traditional crafts have contributed to making Fes a center of civilizational and artistic influence. The classification of the Idrisside city by UNESCO as a universal heritage Fes carpet, traditional weaving art in Morocco is by no means accidental, but should rather be considered as recognition from the international community of the value of its contributions to the universal heritage in the field of authentic traditional arts; contributions evidenced by the numerous monuments and architectural works that abound in the spiritual and cultural capital of the Kingdom of Morocco.
Published August 7, 2011.
Posted online August 16, 2011.
Lematin.ma
