Al-Ahsa Municipality Mayor, Engineer Essam bin Abdul Latif Al-Mulla, affirmed that supporting and empowering artisans is a key pillar of the municipality's efforts to promote the creative economy, preserve cultural heritage, and develop handicraft industries as an economic and cultural resource contributing to sustainable development.

This came during his patronage of the annual meeting for artisans organized by Al-Ahsa Municipality, attended by a delegation from the College of Design and Arts at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, as part of strengthening academic partnerships and exchanging expertise to support and develop handicrafts.

Engineer Al-Mulla explained that the municipality is launching and implementing multiple initiatives and programs aimed at developing artisans' skills and creating a supportive environment to ensure the sustainability of traditional crafts and their transfer to younger generations, thereby enhancing national identity and increasing the handicraft sector's contribution to the creative economy.

He noted that Al-Ahsa, with its rich civilizational and cultural heritage, abounds in traditional crafts that form an integral part of its identity, necessitating their preservation, development, and transformation into promising economic opportunities that support artisans and enhance the presence of their products in markets.

The meeting reviewed the municipality's efforts in supporting the handicraft sector and opened a direct dialogue with artisans to hear their opinions and suggestions, as well as showcased successful craft experiences that contribute to developing the handicraft system and improving its efficiency.

The meeting also discussed prospects for cooperation between the municipality and the College of Design and Arts in the fields of design and innovation, benefiting from academic expertise in developing handicraft products and enhancing their visual identity, and linking them to concepts of the creative economy and entrepreneurship.

The university delegation included Dr. Noura Al-Qaba, Head of the Visual Arts Department; Dr. Rafeef Al-Shibl, Head of the Product Design Department; Dr. Suha Al-Zaid, Head of the Interior Design Department; and Engineer Mohammed Allama, Executive Director of the "Wujod" platform. They explored opportunities for cooperation in implementing qualitative initiatives that support artisans and contribute to developing the handicraft sector in the governorate.

Al-Ahsa Municipality affirmed that the meeting is part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships with academic institutions and specialized bodies, based on its belief that developing handicrafts requires integration between scientific and professional expertise, contributing to the sustainability of cultural heritage, empowering artisans, and enhancing Al-Ahsa's position as a national incubator for crafts and creative industries.