Several round tables were held during the Spain-Morocco Investment Forum to present the region's strengths for future development

La región de Dajla exhibe a España sus 6 sectores privilegiados para el desarrollo

The Moroccan Government's development plan for the Dakhla region has clear focal points for foreign investment in the region. These are the main points presented to the Spanish investors present at the first edition of the Spain-Morocco Investment Forum held in Dakhla at the end of June. 

In the words of Bouchaid Kiri, regional director of Trade and Industry in Dakhla, they represent the emerging development of the region, and are so far the most attractive poles for tourism, which the Moroccan government has managed to promote. 

Dakhla

We are talking about industry, logistics, renewable energies, agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, crafts, sport and social economy. All these points were addressed by round tables during the first afternoon of the Spain Morocco Investment Forum. These round tables were led by the Moroccan authorities that promote them, as well as many of the main stakeholders of the civil society that invest in Dakhla. 

Under the coordination of television presenter Zoubeida Al Fathi and BBC Arabic journalist in Spain, Youssef Temsamani, the first round table dealt with logistics and renewable energies in the Dakhla region. It was attended by Bouchaid Kiri, Regional Director of Trade and Industry of Dakhla, Mahemed Frikel, from the Moroccan Agency for the Development of Logistics, Ahmed Souiyeh, Regional Director of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, and Abdelali Halhal, Director of Development GoA Green of Africa, Akwa Group and Finance Com. 

The speakers raised the possibility of implementing a sustainable and green economy in the Dakhla region, as well as clean energy plants that can be a beacon in the region. Green hydrogen, a form of energy that works by electrolysis, was discussed several times during the round table, and for which conditions such as those in the Sahara are necessary to be able to produce it at a competitive price. These conditions are water, sun and air.  The Moroccan authorities in the city also boast that they have large tracts of land suitable for the installation of these plants. This is accompanied by an "attractive legislative and institutional framework", as well as a national policy promoted by the Moroccan government that has been favouring renewable energies for years, notably in the Noor I, II and III photovoltaic power plants in the region of Ouarzazate. 

In terms of logistics, the speakers emphasised that Dakhla has a very competitive logistics real estate offer in its industrial zones, which include a 13-hectare free zone with an international trade platform. In terms of transport, the speakers welcomed the positive changes in the region. 5 years ago, Dakhla did not enjoy the connections that it has in 2022, and it is therefore to be hoped that they will continue to expand in the coming years.

Dakhla

The second panel of experts dealt with fisheries, aquaculture and agriculture. It was presented by Majida Maarouf, Director General of the National Aquaculture Agency, Chérif Arqam, Regional Director of Agriculture, Mustapha Ouchakeni, Regional Director of Marine Fisheries, and Omar Abargaz, Head of Department at the Directorate of Development of the Atlantic Port of New Dakhla. The entire Sahara has a significant surplus of fish for a large number of species. The European Union already has fishing agreements in areas similar to Dakhla, such as Mauritania, which have been renewed in 2022 before the European Parliament because of their successful results. Up to 80 European vessels fish in Mauritanian waters under EU agreements, and a similar situation could occur in Dakhla. Moreover, aquaculture and fish farms are already a solution that local companies are exploring with good results, and the authorities are inviting new investors to join in.

To address the issue of agriculture, the panel also featured Sergio Montesinos, an executive from Agritech Murcia, a Spanish company invited to the event, which specialises in solutions for vegetable and potato farming in extreme climate environments, such as the desert surrounding Dakhla. Agritech Murcia's stance at the Investment Forum is exemplary of what Spain and Morocco's relations in Dakhla aspire to be in terms of trade and economic issues. "We want to transmit knowledge that will bring benefits. We want to teach how to maintain sustainable, year-round food production, which will make the region self-sufficient. It is a transmission of knowledge," explained Sergio Montesinos during his speech. 

Dakhla

The round of panels concluded with the one dedicated to tourism, crafts and the social economy. Under the title "The levers of attraction of the territory, drivers of sustainable growth", Mohammed Salem Boudija, Regional Director of Tourism, Crafts and Social Economy, and Houda Boutoulout, Director of Economic Promotion and Territorial Supply of the Dakhla Regional Investment Centre, presented how the tourism sector in Dakhla is oriented and strengthened. 

The region has now mainly promoted a very sustainable tourism, which includes small hotels that do not have a very large or negative environmental impact on the environment, with a "wild" identity and above all focused on water sports tourism. Dakhla has already gained a strong reputation among kitesurfers, especially in France, and is the main attraction of the city. 

Dakhla

In the future, the region is interested in promoting logistical transport for this sector, as well as other aspects such as culture, as the speakers explained in response to questions from the audience. 

The Spain-Morocco Investment Forum will continue its activities aimed at the Spanish business sector on 22 June, an opportunity for Spanish entrepreneurs.  

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