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Small scale tourist businesses in poor rural corners of Morocco are being given money and expertise to develop by a through a micro finance project.

The award winning Zakoura Foundation (see news, home page) provides money for all sorts of businesses – from potters, to spice sellers, jewellery makers and traditional guesthouses known locally as riads.

They also support food suppliers and encourage guesthouses and B&Bs to source food from local farmers and merchants.

More than 800 small business have been assisted by the not-for-profit scheme, which also offers training and help with marketing.

Now the Foundation is introducing a certification scheme that will grade B&Bs in rural areas. B&Bs will be listed on the Zakoura website to help them attract visitors from abroad.