Locals say artisans have been moving “in droves” to the desert in search of work as day-labourers on a big road-building project
Today, though, the winding alleys of Safi’s famed Colline des Potiers are quiet. The tourists who thronged the streets—and bought the pottery—have gone, because of covid-19. Morocco’sfell by around 7% in 2020. A large number of Safi’s potteries have closed. For the first time in generations, most of its artisans are jobless or hanging on by a thread.
To help businesses, the central bank reduced interest rates last year to a record low of 1.5%. State-backed loan-guarantee programmes disbursed 50bn dirhams to 80,000 small and medium-sized firms. Still, in September the government estimated that 35% of craft businesses had closed for good. The government is working on that, too. A quarter of Moroccans have had at least one dose of the vaccine, more than in most developing countries. The aim is to save lives, of course, but also to send a signal to tourists that the kingdom is safe. On June 15th most international flights will resume.
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