In the presence of the Governor of Azilal Province, Hassan Benkhiyi, and the President of the Beni Mellal-Khénifra Regional Council, the Wali of the region and Governor of Béni Mellal Province, Mohamed Benribag, inaugurated the "House of Solidarity Economy" on Friday, January 10, 2025, an infrastructure aimed at supporting the social and solidarity economy, as well as promoting a range of local products. This project is part of the fundamental objectives of the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH) aimed at improving income and the economic integration of young people. Other projects were inaugurated in Azilal Province.
The "House of Solidarity Economy Market" is presented as a new model space for supporting the solidarity economy. It is entirely dedicated to the sale of products from cooperatives in Azilal Province, which represent 80% of the exhibitors (48 cooperatives), with the remainder consisting of cooperatives from the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region (20 cooperatives). This house, supported by the INDH, the Béni Mellal-Khénifra Regional Council, and the Azilal Commune, aims to promote the marketing of local products, which occupy an important place in the economy of Azilal Province and the region. It also constitutes a lever for the development of the social and solidarity economy. Thus, during this inauguration, the most popular and recognised products at the provincial, regional, and national levels were presented, including saffron, olive oil, walnuts, almonds, medicinal herbs, traditional djellabas, artisanal weapons, local textiles, and honey. This platform will contribute to valuing and marketing local products and handicrafts, while helping cooperatives overcome obstacles related to finding suitable exhibition spaces and accessing national and international distribution networks. It is intended to be a continuous and permanent exhibition and marketing space throughout the year for a variety of local products, medicinal and aromatic herbs, oils, and honey, as well as artisanal, ceramic, and plant products, with the goal of ensuring the sustainable integration of the solidarity economy into the national economic dynamic. In parallel with commercial and marketing activities, the cooperatives involved in this project benefit from a capacity-building and modernisation programme, via targeted training programmes meeting the needs of young people with ideas and projects, in addition to their incubation and support.
Let us recall that Hassan Benkhiyi, Governor of Azilal Province, made his first official visit to the city of Demnate on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. This visit, which was marked by a series of important activities, aimed to promote the social and human development of the region. The Governor laid the foundation stone for a centre for women in difficult situations in the Tizght neighbourhood, as part of the National Initiative for Human Development programmes, demonstrating a continuous commitment to vulnerable groups and the strengthening of the role of women in society. Mr. Benkhiyi also visited the centre for people in difficult situations in the same neighbourhood.
Continuing his tour, the Governor oversaw the launch of the Student House in the Writzdiq neighbourhood, a crucial step to support the education and training of young people in the region. The visit ended with the launch of the expansion of the centre for people with disabilities in the Aghir Demnate neighbourhood. During this visit, Mr. Benkhiyi also examined the progress of several projects such as the municipal swimming pool. He gave strict instructions to resolve problems quickly and complete these projects as soon as possible for the public good. The Governor's activities also included visits to the Aït Tamellil commune, where he inaugurated the new headquarters of the territorial commune, and to the Imelil commune, where he inspected the youth platform, evaluating its role in supporting young people in job searching and monitoring project leaders. And as part of promoting local development, Mr. Benkhiyi made an official visit to Aït Tamellil on Wednesday, January 8, where he inaugurated the new headquarters of the directorate, built at a cost of 2,248,080 dirhams. This project aims to improve the reception of citizens and offer better quality administrative services, thus strengthening the efficiency of administrative work in the region. The Governor's visit focused on other socio-economic projects that aim to participate in the development of Azilal Province.
