Upgrading handicrafts to increase their competitiveness at home and abroad was the main topic of official talks Friday.
Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea said Egypt’s political leadership paid due attention to the improvement of the handicrafts sector.
The minister’s comments came during her meeting with chairman of the Handicrafts Export Council el-Walid el-Shami.
The leadership was keen to solve problems facing those working in this sector, the minister said, adding that the handicrafts sector was labour-intensive and creates a lot of openings, especially in southern Egypt and in local tourist destinations.
Gamea called for setting up a database of facilities for training and finance within the handicrafts sector.
There are 250 centre engaged in 120 handicrafts and employing 2 million people, she said.
Handicraft exports were worth $208 million last year, Gamea said, underscoring the importance of cooperation between state agencies and workers within this sector.
She also referred to the importance of launching campaigns and events that aim to raise the quality of local handicrafts.
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