Assahafa.com
Morocco’s southern provinces have emerged as a genuine catalyst for economic cooperation between Morocco and France, opening up new prospects for shared growth and African integration, economic actors from both countries emphasized on Thursday in Dakhla.
Speaking at the Morocco-France Economic Forum, participants unanimously highlighted the central role of Morocco’s southern provinces in strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations.
They underlined the region’s large-scale investments, its agricultural and energy potential, and its strategic positioning as a hub for African integration, in line with the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
In this context, the Vice-President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), Mehdi Tazi, stressed the importance of this forum in showcasing the considerable assets of Morocco’s southern provinces, noting that the region “abounds in immense potential.”
He recalled that the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region holds major agricultural promise, adding that its natural conditions are ideal for the development of renewable energies, thanks to consistent sunshine and wind resources.
For his part, the Vice-President of the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF), Fabrice Le Saché, stated that the presence of French business leaders in Dakhla reflects a clear desire for tangible economic cooperation based on dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
He highlighted the clarity of Morocco’s development model for its southern provinces, viewing it as a project that transcends national borders and serves as a gateway to sub-Saharan Africa.
The Co-President of the Morocco-France Business Leaders Club, Mohamed El Kettani, also emphasized the symbolic importance of holding the forum in Dakhla, noting that it underscores France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces.
He also highlighted the presence of French investors already active in the region, citing the seawater desalination project jointly developed by Nareva and ENGIE.
For his part, the Club’s Co-President, Ross McInnes, stressed the integrated industrial dimension of the Franco-Moroccan partnership, built on a comprehensive approach to the value chain, from design and investment to procurement, manufacturing, and export.
He commended the high quality of Moroccan engineering training, which enables the country to develop advanced technological projects, noting that key sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and energy rely heavily on the skill and reliability of local subcontractors.
Source: map
