Marruecos seduce al empresariado español en Dajla

The city of Dakhla is hosting the first edition of the Spain-Morocco investment forum. It is an important event organised by the Moroccan Ministry of Industry and Trade in collaboration with the authorities of the Dakhla region, with Spanish businessmen as guests.

The normalisation of relations between Spain and Morocco, and the progressive advances of the Moroccan government in the international recognition of the region it controls and administers de facto, is bearing its first fruits with this event, which aims to seduce Spanish companies to venture into a region in constant change, with great opportunities and a need for the "bon savoir" of Spanish companies. 

The kick-off event, organised at the Dakhla conference centre, was attended by local authorities and civil society. The representative of the Wali, delegate of the Government in the region; Yanja Khattat, president of the Dakhla Region; the Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour and Chakib Alj, president of the CGEM, the Moroccan employers' association, presented the forum on the North African side. María José Tato, businesswoman and organiser of the forum, spoke on behalf of the Spanish side.

The Wali representative in Dakhla, the first to take the floor, set the tone of the event. He highlighted the new political situation between the governments of Spain and Morocco, which allows for the strengthening and deepening of economic relations between the civil societies of the two countries, under the tutelage and impetus of the authorities. The representative of the Wali wanted to recall that one of the main advantages of the Dakhla region lies in its geographical position, a key resource in the penetration of the African market for those who bet on the region. "We have the opportunity to work for the economic benefit of our two kingdoms", concluded the representative of the central government, putting forward a "win-win" situation for Spain and Morocco in the Sahara. 

The representative of the central government framed the success of Dakhla in the new development policy launched by the Moroccan Royal Court, with which Dakhla benefits from an allocation of 85 billion dirhams a year destined to make the region and its infrastructures grow.

His speech was followed by that of the President of the Dakhla Region, the equivalent of a Spanish regional president, a power that Morocco has progressively put in place throughout its administration of the territory and elected by the ballot box.

In perfect Spanish, Yanja Khattat welcomed the holding of this forum as a "clear and strong sign of the will to work together in partnership cooperation and good neighbourliness. This forum is a very strong signal for national and international investments, especially for the Spanish". 

The Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, was the last authority to speak in a video message in which he praised the great opportunities offered by the region, in terms of energy, tourism and fishing. Mezzour reassured the Spanish companies present by reminding them of the great efforts of growth that the Moroccan State is making in the region, materialised in a large industrial port that makes Dakhla a gateway to the African market, and which is reinforced by the construction of new roads connecting the coastal city with the interior of the continent. Mezzour also highlighted the important role that Dakhla can play in terms of renewable energies, especially green hydrogen, which has in Dakhla a place with all the requirements to be produced in a more than competitive way: sun, water and air. "I invite all investors to take advantage of this opportunity," concluded the minister, also in Spanish. 

María José Tato, organiser of the forum and representative of the Spanish delegation of entrepreneurs, was in charge of sending a message of confidence to the entrepreneurs. From her point of view as an entrepreneur, she wanted to make it clear to the businessmen and women present in the assembly hall that investing in Dakhla is a safe investment.

"My first adventure as an entrepreneur in Morocco was one of scepticism", María José Tato began. "I didn't know what I was going to find, if there would be legal certainty... And over time I have come to feel at home. Here there is a great willingness to collaborate with Spanish companies, a lot of optimism and a great desire to work", she continued in a motivating tone for the entrepreneurs.

Tato wanted to make three points clear: the legal security that exists in the region, offered by the Moroccan government administration. The constant dynamism of the region, which, thanks to investments by the State, is undergoing constant development. And finally, the great opportunities that Dakhla offers.

The event, which will take place on 21 and 22 June, will focus on the six main points of attractiveness for investment that Dakhla enjoys. The Moroccan government is clearly committed to promoting fishing, agriculture, tourism, renewable energies and logistics.