Morocco’s traditional handicraft industry employs two million persons, representing 20 percent of the employed population in the country, reported the official MAP news agency. The North African state’s handicraft industry contributed 19 percent of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), amounting to 67 billion Moroccan dirhams ($5.8 billion) in 2000.
The sector's contribution to the GDP is higher than that of agriculture, one of Morocco’s most crucial industries, employing half of the country’s workforce. In 2000, agriculture contributed only 16 percent to the GDP.
Foreign tourists paid $379.3 million to buy Moroccan handicraft items in 1999. Germany is Morocco's biggest handicraft market followed by Luxembourg and Finland with the UK coming in fourth place. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
