58 Spanish companies attend the Spain-Morocco Business Meeting in search of investment opportunities

From June 6 to 8 in Casablanca

At the opening of the meeting, Xiana Méndez emphasized the strong bilateral relations: “Trade figures are excellent and continue to grow. Spanish investment in Morocco is very significant, diversified, and has a major social impact.”

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The Secretary of State for Commerce of Spain, through ICEX Spain Export and Investments and the economic and commercial offices of Spain in Morocco and in collaboration with the CEOE and Chamber of Commerce of Spain, organizes the Spain-Morocco Business Meeting which is being held from June 6 to 8 in Casablanca.

 

The meeting, which has the presence of 58 Spanish companies and more than 200 local attendees, has been inaugurated by the Secretary of State for Commerce of Spain and president of ICEX, Xiana Mendez, the Minister of Industry and Commerce of Morocco, Ryad Mezzour, and the ambassador of Spain in Morocco, Ricardo Díez-Hochleitner.

 

At the inauguration, Xiana Méndez highlighted that bilateral relations are very intense: “The figures of trade are excellent and they don't stop growing. Spanish investment in Morocco is very relevant, diversified and with great social impact and the integration of both countries in European value chains is increasing.”

 

This action aims to inform Spanish companies about the investment opportunities and business cooperation that are currently opening in this market in the areas of water and environment, automotive and industrial sector, food value chains, education, renewable energy and transport infrastructure.

 

In fact, Morocco is a priority country within the 'Horizon Africa' strategy of the Secretary of State for Commerce. “This strategy is designed to increase the presence of Spanish companies on the African continent that have public financial support instruments. In the case of Morocco, they are included in a new Financial Protocol in which Spain makes 800 million euros available to the Moroccan authorities to finance projects in the country,” explained Xiana Méndez.

 

After the opening of the meeting, two specialized panels are held. First, “Towards a consolidated economic partnership”, moderated by the CEO of ICEX, María Peña, revolves around the importance of Spanish-Moroccan economic and commercial relations and the investment opportunities existing in the market. And the second, “Financing of investment in Morocco”, shows the instruments available to companies to finance these investment opportunities.

 

In parallel, during today, sector workshops are taking place on renewable energy and the environment, infrastructure, the industrial sector and education in Morocco. The market is analyzed with expert speakers and their respective positions are highlighted. investment opportunities.

 

Within the framework of the meeting, during the afternoon session on the 7th and the morning of the 8th, a total of 130 B2B meetings with potential local partners. These agendas, prepared by the economic and commercial offices in Morocco and ICEX, respond to the requests received in accordance with the viability of the projects in the destination market.

 

On the local side, in the organization of the meeting, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Morocco, the General Confederation of Moroccan Companies (CGEM), the Morocco-Spain Economic Council (CEMaEs) and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Morocco.

The sponsoring companies of the meeting are Alsa, Barceló, Banco Sabadell, Caixabank, CESCE and COFIDES.

 

Morocco is a priority country within the 'Africa Horizon' strategy of the Secretary of State for Commerce

 

Why Morocco?

Morocco has experienced great sustainable economic and social progress over the last twenty years, with average annual GDP growth rates of around 5%.

 

Thanks to its commercial opening, Morocco is a bridge between Africa and Europe. In addition, it belongs to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and has free trade agreements that cover up to 55 countries (including the US and the EU), giving it access to a potential market of more than 1.000 billion consumers.

 

Its integration into the value chains of the global economy is key for Spain to create, together with Morocco, an area of ​​shared wealth and develop north-south integration.

 

Furthermore, other factors of its favorable business climate are the progressive liberalization of the Moroccan economy, the modernization of capital controls, the reduction of restrictions on foreign investment and the growing role of free zones, industrial zones and institutions specifically dedicated to promoting investment.

 

Commercial relations between Spain and Morocco are very relevant, with Spain being Morocco's main supplier and client in the world. Furthermore, the trend towards greater complementarity and prominence of intra-industrial trade favors the natural process for many companies to be implantation and investment in Morocco.