Nouakchott, November 25, 2025 – His Excellency the Minister of Vocational Training, Handicrafts and Trades, Mr. Mohamed Malainine Ould Eyih, on Tuesday presided in Nouakchott, in the presence of Her Excellency the Minister of Trade and Tourism, Ms. Zeinebou Mint Ahmednah, over the opening of a workshop dedicated to the validation of the Mauritanian Handicrafts Encyclopedia project.
This workshop is organized by the Ministry of Vocational Training, Handicrafts and Trades as part of its efforts to document, safeguard, and promote traditional artisanal skills, recognized as a valuable cultural asset and a fundamental pillar of the national intangible cultural heritage.
In his address, the Minister emphasized that handicrafts represent a major social and economic driver, highlighting their key role in supplying markets with a wide range of goods and services, despite the challenges and competition posed by modern industries.
He also underlined the prominent place of the handicrafts sector within the program of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, “My Ambition for the Nation,” recalling the main pillars of the national strategy for the promotion of handicrafts.
The Minister further explained that the national handicrafts encyclopedia project is among the top priorities of his sector, given its expected role in preserving and enhancing a rich heritage that has long been exposed to the risk of disappearance and neglect.
For his part, the Secretary-General of the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, Mr. Mohamed Sidi Abdallah, stated that the project constitutes a cornerstone in safeguarding national cultural heritage and protecting traditional knowledge. He stressed the Commission’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with all stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the project’s outcomes and consolidate its scientific and cultural value.
Meanwhile, the Vice-Chairman of the Scientific Committee, Mr. Kan Mamadou Hadia, presented the main objectives of the encyclopedia, highlighting its importance in strengthening national unity and promoting the country’s cultural identity at both regional and international levels.
The Project Coordinator and Director-General of Handicrafts and Trades, Ms. Mariem Kan, explained that the encyclopedia responds to a shared ambition to make it a national memory tool, aimed at preserving the identity of the country’s diverse and rich cultural heritage.
On behalf of sector stakeholders, the President of the National Chamber of Handicrafts and Trades, Mr. Ham Ould Alouimeine, praised the achievements made in favor of the handicrafts sector in recent years.
Following the opening session, Their Excellencies toured the exhibition accompanying the workshop, which showcased samples of Mauritanian handicraft products created by skilled national artisans.
The workshop was attended by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Vocational Training, Handicrafts and Trades, Mr. Mohamed Ahmedou Abdi; the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament, Mr. Sidi Mohamed Ould Jeddou; the Secretary-General of the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, Mr. Mohamed Sidi Abdallah; as well as several senior officials and stakeholders from the sector.