03/08/2007
Minister of Trade and Handcrafts Mondher Zenaidi officially opened the first Tunisian traditional handcrafts fair "Médin'Art" in the medina of Yasmin Hammamet on Wednesday (August 1st), Tunisia online reports. More than 36,000 Tunisian and foreign tourists are expected to visit the event, which lasts until August 26th. Medin'art aims to promote and market traditional Tunisian handcrafts and preserve the national heritage. The exhibitions feature weaving and embroidery items, chinaware, carpets, metalwork earthenware, leatherware and workshops for visitors. Tunisia's handicrafts sector comprises 650 companies and employs more than 300,000 people, or 11% of the country's total workforce. It contributes more than 700m dinars per year, or 3% of Tunisia's GDP, to the budget. Handicrafts exports account for 2.3% of Tunisia'a total exports.