Minister of Local Development Hesham Amna and Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine El-Qabbaj inaugurated Sunday the “Ayady Misr” Traditional Crafts Exhibition. The inauguration ceremony was held at the Pyramisa Hotel in cooperation with the German Hanns Seidel Foundation.
Also in attendance were several governors, deputy governors, resident representative of the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Egypt, Thomas Schama, and officials of the Ministry of Local Development.
During the ceremony, Ministers Amna and Qabbaj, along with governors, toured the exhibition to take a look at the displayed distinctive handicraft products of the Egyptian cities.
During their tour, the officials praised the quality of the products, asserting that these exhibitions offer a great opportunity for marketing traditional crafts products by providing outlets selling these products at affordable prices in vibrant areas.
For his part, Minister Amna expressed his happiness to participate in the traditional crafts exhibition, hailing the efforts of ministers and governors to support and revive traditional crafts culture across Egypt, especially the “Ayady Misr” Handicraft and Traditional Crafts Initiative held under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as the initiative reflects the Egyptian identity and the locomotive of sustainable development.
Moreover, Amna praises the efforts made by the Minister of Social Solidarity, Nevin El-Qabbaj, to support traditional crafts and the constant cooperation between the ministries of local development and social solidarity to back the unprecedented initiative to develop skills related to handicrafts and infrastructure of the initiative’s headquarters.
During the inauguration, Amna also thanked Cairo Governor Khaled Abdel Aal for providing a permanent headquarters for the “Ayady Misr” initiative at the Pottery Village in the Fustat area, noting that it is under preparation for showcasing and marketing the products.
Amna furthermore voiced his appreciation for the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation to encourage and revive handicrafts and traditional crafts through fruitful and constructive cooperation represented in holding a series of training workshops for youth participating in the Ayady Misr across Egyptian cities to qualify them and sponsor the exhibition. He also thanked those responsible for the initiative, wishing Egyptian youth great success.
In addition, Amna asserted that supporting traditional crafts and economic development is a top priority on the Local Development Ministry’s agenda in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the government program.
Amna also said that the national project of Ayady Misr has achieved many gains and accomplishments regarding the promotion of Egyptian products. The project has also helped create a market for these competitive products and train artisans to develop products.
For the sustainability of these efforts, the Ministry of Local Development is working on several institutional axes, either by equipping a center for Egyptian traditional crafts and handicrafts in the Pottery Village in Fustat to be the headquarters of the national project of Ayady Misr or by ensuring the establishment and activation of a unit specialized in working on the project in each governorate in collaboration with the governors.
Minister Amna added that launching the Ayady Misr project platform to market handicrafts and traditional crafts products on Egyptian Women's Day (March 16, 2021) in cooperation with the World Food Program, eAswaaq Misr Company, and Egyptian governorates comes within the framework of supporting and enhancing the capacities of youth and women and realizing the importance of digitization in the marketing process to help artisans market their products inside and outside Egypt.
Amna also urged all relevant authorities to make all possible efforts to support that industry, given its vital role in driving development and creating more job opportunities in light of the state’s vision and strategy towards economic reform to realize desired local economic growth and cooperate with all development partners to promote that promising industry locally and internationally to preserve and revive such distinctive crafts from extinction.
For his part, Mr. Thomas Schama, resident representative of the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Egypt, welcomed the cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Local Development in supporting traditional crafts industries, affirming the foundation's keenness to intensifying efforts with the Ministry of Local Development and the Ministry of Social Solidarity to promote such industries regarding marketing and documentation of products that distinguish Egyptian cities.
Moreover, the chairman of the German foundation expressed his keenness to facilitate the Ayady Misr platform’s participation in German exhibitions specialized in traditional crafts and handicraft industries.
In turn, Cairo Governor Khaled Abdel Aal asserted the state’s interest in preserving and reviving heritage as a reflection of the true Egyptian identity and an essential tool for preserving Egypt’s historical and leading position, especially in line with modern renaissance achieved in various fields under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Furthermore, Abdel Aal emphasized that political leadership attaches great importance to creating new job opportunities for youth through small enterprises and fully supporting efforts made to revive traditional crafts.
Abdel Aal also pointed out that the Cairo governorate makes great efforts to market handicraft products and provides full support for all activities, aiming to preserve Egyptian identity.
It is worth mentioning that the ten exhibitors of Cairo governorate took part in the exhibition, displaying their products that include Khayameya, handmade rugs, stained glass, handmade accessories, and knitwear.
Source: Media Department, Cairo Governorate
