The carpet industry of Morocco contends with sales problems. The export goods produced in the country partially do no longer match the taste of the buyers and the essential knowledge about the restoration of historically and culturally valuable, antique Berber carpets seemed lost. A Pakistani professional and a young Moroccan bring the specialist knowledge (back) in the country.

In Morocco there are two totally different carpet production spheres. All around the city of Rabat there are big manufactures where export goods are produced. And in the mountain villages of the Atlas traditional Berber carpets are woven in home work. In Rabat the producers are confronted with sinking export figures; the carpets do no longer correspond to the spirit of the times of the final consumers. And in the villages around Marrakesh there is not enough specialist knowledge about the restoration of antique Berber pieces of great cultural value. Label STEP was asked for help by Moroccan producers of both branches of production and as a result has launched a project.

Transfer of specialist knowledge between production countries

To spur the export of the goods produced around Rabat, a Pakistani expert travelled to Morocco to provide his knowledge about final washing technologies in workshops for groups of producers. Because the right final washing gives shine and a modern look to the carpet. A carpet treated in such a way is more likely to correspond to the taste of the buyers in the import countries.

The second knowledge transfer project brings the knowledge about the restoration of Berber carpets lost over the years back to the country. A young Moroccan was sent to Istanbul as a trainee to an experienced carpet restorer. There he learned how antique carpets are optimally reconditioned and prepared for sale. After returning home, he provided his newly acquired knowledge and skills to others, for the advantage of the whole industry.

All Moroccan carpet producers were invited to the workshops about final washing technologies and restoration which Label STEP organised with support of the Moroccan government. They had to bear two thirds of the course costs themselves, the organizers contributed the rest. It is also noteworthy that although Label STEP has initiated both projects and has provided the contacts, the real cooperation, however, takes place between two production countries in each case.

In the meantime, the newly gained and reacquired technologies have spread in the country and the first results show already: Some of the participating exporters could increase their turnovers over the last two years again.