The Chamber of Crafts of the Fez-Meknes region validated, during its last ordinary session, the agreement relating to the creation of a permanent regional crafts fair in Fez.
This large-scale project, with a budget of 50 million dirhams (MDH), aims to boost the artisanal sector and strengthen the region’s tourist attractiveness.
According to the terms of the agreement, the show will be set up on the site of the former headquarters of the National Seed Marketing Company (SONACOS) in Fez, thus offering a rehabilitation to this building. The project provides for the creation of exhibition stands, demonstration workshops and sales spaces, as well as administrative and logistical premises, reports MAP.
Funding for the project, part of the Regional Development Program (PDR) 2022-2027, will be provided by the Council of the Fez-Meknes region (42.5 MDH), the Ministry of Tourism, Crafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy (4.5 million dirhams) and the Chamber of Crafts of Fez-Meknes (3 million dirhams). The Al Omrane Fès-Meknes company will be responsible for carrying out the work as delegated project owner.
Speaking during the ordinary session, the president of the Chamber of Crafts, Naji Fakhari, highlighted the importance of this project for the promotion of local crafts. According to him, this is an initiative which will offer artisans better visibility to exhibit and market their products, in addition to strengthening the tourist attractiveness of the city of Fez and its region.
For his part, the regional director of crafts in Fez, Abderrahim Belkhayat, highlighted the strategic location of the future fair, in the immediate vicinity of the Trades and Skills Center (CMC) and the future Palais des Congrès.
“This synergy will create a real center of attractiveness, thus strengthening the positioning of Fez as a leading tourist and cultural destination,” he declared.
He also underlined the urgency of carrying out this project in the context of preparations for the 2030 World Cup, affirming that “the show will contribute to promoting Moroccan artisanal heritage, a major asset for the influence of the country on a global scale. international”.
The adopted agreement provides for a precise timetable for the payment of financial contributions (by 2027), as well as a mechanism for monitoring and controlling the use of funds.
Management of the show will be entrusted to the Chamber of Crafts of Fez-Meknes, which will be responsible for its operation, animation and maintenance. A steering committee and a technical committee, made up of representatives of the various partners, will be set up to supervise the implementation and management of the project.
