Today, Friday, March 3, 2023, the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Mohamed Al-Moez Belhoucine, paid a working visit to the state of Beja, where he supervised the inauguration of the craft village and was briefed on the traditional handicrafts exhibition organized by the occasion, and supervised the distribution of contracts for the exploitation of new shops for the benefit of craftsmen, with the first delegate in charge of managing the affairs of The state of Beja, Mr. Saber Al-Benbli and the general secretary of the state, in the presence of the director general of the National Office for Handicrafts, the regional delegates and representatives of the concerned regional structures. The Minister of Tourism also visited the manual weaving workshop in the delegation of North Beja and a workshop for distilling herbs in the delegation of Amdoun. And the Minister of Tourism considered, by the way, that the traditional industries sector is a symbol of identity and it preserves the tangible and immaterial heritage, stressing that the Ministry of Tourism is working to support and develop this vital sector and further acquaint with craftsmen and raise its export capacity. He emphasized that encouraging the creation of craft villages falls within the encouragement of artisans in all regions of the Republic, including Beja, which is characterized by a rich product of traditional industries such as weaving, embroidery, hand weaving, perfumery, herbal distillation, carving on all bearings and cheeses, and encouraging renewable industries and innovation in the sector. He added that the craft villages play an important role in networking and gathering artisans and responding to the large demands on traditional industries in the national and international market, indicating that the inauguration of the craft village in Beja falls within the strategy of the Ministry of Tourism to promote the traditional industries sector, this vital sector of the national economy, which contributes to advancing the pace of local development. regionalism and job creation. And he highlighted that, during the month of March and the coming period, important stations for traditional industries will be organized to further promote the creations and designs of craftsmen and designers in various traditional specializations.