The Professional Association of Artisanal Product Merchants of the city of Agadir has been denouncing for several months the parallel markets and a certain number of dysfunctions that weigh down the development of the sector and push bazaar owners to close shop. The association has tried several times to seize the public authorities, but in vain. These dysfunctions are summarised, in fact, by the scam of taxi drivers, fake guides, and employees of the hotel sector who divert Moroccan and foreign tourists to other shops in the city against commissions that sometimes reach 50% of the sale price. Artisans also suffer from the presence of street vendors who harm the national economy and the quality of products due to the prices they charge. It is time, recalled the professional association of artisanal product merchants of the city of Agadir, to denounce these problems which do not date from yesterday and to respond to them with concrete measures to safeguard the sector. The association's office has already addressed complaints in this regard to the central authorities, including the Prime Minister. Similar complaints have thus been addressed to the Minister of Tourism, to that of the Interior, to that of Finance, and to that of Commerce and Industry. Also, letters, calling on local, provincial, and regional officials to anticipate and seek, notably, solutions that are intended to be relevant, have been sent to the regional director of taxes, to the regional delegate of tourism, and to that of commerce and industry. All, it was specified, have been informed through this correspondence of these legitimate demands and of the catastrophic situation in which certain artisans find themselves. The office also made a series of suggestions that do not require a substantial budget, but which take into account bold, responsible, and citizen initiatives to allow the region's handicrafts to survive. After several negotiations with the public authorities, without success, a 48-hour strike was decreed on 29 and 30 April. Since then, the wali of the region has promised the implementation of the most adequate and fairest solutions to defend the sector.

A study was recently launched by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Services of Agadir (CCISA), within the framework of the "Rawaj" programme. In order to revitalise artisanal activity, an inventory of the sector was established, following which a labelling programme was born. Merchants were wary of this programme. However, this labelling will make it possible to safeguard the sector and make the regional heritage better known by offering quality artisanal products.

To benefit from the advantages of this label, merchants are required to bring the premises up to standard and to respect labour legislation. They must also get involved in the socio-cultural development of Souss-Massa-Draâ. The labelling project concerned 50 merchants before being generalised.