Artisanat urbain au Mali: elements pour une politique de l'artisanat.

A consideration of urban artisans' production role in the socio- economic development in Mali precedes a discussion of different policy proposals for strengthening its potential. In 1983, this sector account for 21000 wage workers and 9000 apprentices. It provided goods and services for the majority of the population. Furthermore, in the author' s point of view, this sector constitutes the essence of agricultural, industrial and commercial activities in the country. He outlines some aspects related to the sector's productive and organisational structure and its links with the national economy. Measures such as research for improving the quality of products, facilities for access to raw materials, the setting of adequate credit system, access to new internal and external markets, implementation of complementary sectoral policies and a nationwide campaign to inform about the role and importance of this sector are also proposed.