Abdellah Abbad, President of the Moroccan Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Services, says handicraft products can boost economic growth and development for both Nigeria and Morocco.
Abbad said this in Abuja on Tuesday during a one week, 1st Edition of the Nigeria-Morocco crafts exhibition and Moroccan traditional wedding festival with the theme: “Handcraft in the service of cultural blending”.
108scoop reports that the exhibition was held in partnership with the Sokoto State Chambers of commerce and Rabat Sale Kenitra Chambers of Commerce of Morocco.
According to Abbad, handcrafts, if fully harnessed, can help develop both countries and curb some of the unemployment challenges the nations are facing.
“Art and craft will boost economic growth and development for Nigeria and Morocco and also provide job opportunities for craft practitioners and marketers.
“This also marks the beginning of an important partnership in the art and crafts sector of both nations to grow and promote the market for handicraft products and also contribute to its global and international marketing.
“The organisation of such an event provides an informative viewpoints of common interest for the multinational growth in arts and craft sector of both national.
“Following the wise vision of his majesty King Muhammad VI it’s a courageous beginning of economic flow towards Africa and the mutual exchange of goods between North and South Africa cultures,” he said.
Abbad also added that apart from tackling the unemployment challenges, art and craft can help to earn foreign exchange for the country and also attract foreign investors into the country.
“Crafts plays a major role in promoting traditional and cultural products and creating opportunities to develop the economy of both countries.
“Arts and crafts will also promote bilateral relations by paving the way for Moroccan handicrafts products to enter into the Nigerian market and vice versa,” Abba said.
Dr. Muazu Maiwuron, President of Sokoto chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture, in his remarks said that arts and crafts will develop and strengthen the commercial and economic state of Nigeria.
“It is an important partnership that aims to develop the economic of Nigeria, Sokoto State in particular, Morocco Kingdom and the world at large vai handcrafts.
“This arts and crafts exhibition is desirable considering the volume of formal and informal trade that exists between both countries. Which made the chambers of commerce of Nigeria and Morocco also signed an MoU for it.
“It’s our firm believe that this available crafts which are in commercial quantity showcased in this exhibition will invite both foreign and domestic investors.
“Also if this handcrafts are properly harness, it will create Jobs and develop our economy,” Maiwurno said.
Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, represented by Hon. Bashir Gidado, the state’s Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, expressed appreciation for the exhibition and honour accorded to Sokoto State to promote crafts.
“Sokoto and by extension Nigeria share common culture with Morocco so this handicrafts exhibition is beneficial for both countries,
“We believe that culture unites people and when they are united, it provides room for growth and development,” Gidado said.
