Tunis — Tunisia and France agreed to devise a pilot programme in the handicrafts sector, as part of partnership to develop it.

It was concluded at a meeting held, on Thursday in Tunis, between Trade and Handicrafts Minister Béchir Zaafouri, "Grands Ateliers de France" Chairman Gérard Desquand, "Institut National des Métiers d'Art de France" Deputy-Chairman and "Madania" Association Chairman Lotfi Maktouf.

National Handicrafts Office (ONA) Director-General Sofien Tekkya said on Friday, in a statement to TAP news agency, that this programme consists in creating a pilot handicrafts institute to be funded by the "Madania" Association.

This programme will ensure training in well-defined heritage-inspired specialities to be identified later, in co-operation between the Education Ministry, ONA, the "Madina" Association and the French stakeholder.

The ultimate goal, according to ONA Director-General, is to train craftsmen who are endowed with high expertise and skills, and help them have access to higher schools in Tunisia and abroad, and do a value-added trade that creates a product meeting the requirements of export and tourism.