• Home
  • News
    • Africa
    • International
    • International News
    • Maghreb
    • Algeria
  • Politics
  • Business
    • International
    • Maghreb
    • Middle-East
    • Morocco
  • Opinion
    • Editorials
    • Essays
    • Letters
    • Op-Eds
    • Voices
  • Lifestyle
    • Culture
    • Book and Movie Reviews
    • History
    • Profiles and interviews
    • Upcoming Events
  • Features
  • Society
    • Expatriates
    • Gender issues
    • Portraits
    • Ramadan
    • Religion
  • Education
  • Covid-19
  • Western Sahara
    • Autonomy plan
    • History
Search
  • About Us
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Contribute
  • Editorial Team
    • Contributors
    • Correspondents
    • Editorial Board
Morocco World News Morocco World News
  • Home
  • News
    • EU Ambassador Welcomes New Direction in Morocco-EU Relations
      Morocco

      EU Ambassador Welcomes New Direction in Morocco-EU Relations

      US Swears in Linda Thomas-Greenfield as Ambassador to UN
      International News

      US Swears in Linda Thomas-Greenfield as Ambassador to UN

      COVID-19 and Women in Morocco Proneness to Financial Trouble, Precarity
      Covid-19

      COVID-19 and Women in Morocco: Proneness to Financial Trouble, Precarity

      Renault Vehicle Financing in Morocco Begins to Climb by Q4 2020
      Economy

      Renault Vehicle Financing in Morocco Begins to Climb by Q4 2020

      Education

      Al Akhawayn 1st University in Africa Accredited for Online Instruction

      AllAfricaInternationalInternational NewsMaghrebAlgeria
  • Politics
    • Rashid Ghannouchi, Maghreb Is Better Off Without Morocco
      Morocco

      Rashid Ghannouchi: Maghreb Is Better Off Without Morocco

      Morocco Exposes Polisario, Algeria’s Propaganda in Letter to UN
      Morocco

      Morocco Exposes Polisario, Algeria’s Propaganda in Letter to UN

      El Mundo Spain Fears Biden Will Maintain US Western Sahara Recognition
      International

      El Mundo: Spain Fears Biden Will Maintain US Western Sahara Recognition

      Morocco Urges EU to Abandon 'Teacher-Pupil' Attitude Towards South
      Morocco

      Morocco Urges EU to Abandon ‘Teacher-Pupil’ Attitude Towards South

      Morocco Reaffirms Commitment to Multilateral Work on Migration Issues
      Morocco

      Morocco Reaffirms Commitment to Multilateral Work on Migration Issues

  • Business
    • Renault Vehicle Financing in Morocco Begins to Climb by Q4 2020
      Economy

      Renault Vehicle Financing in Morocco Begins to Climb by Q4 2020

      Economy

      McKinsey Global Institute: COVID-19 Could Uproot 700,000 Jobs in Morocco

      Morocco, EU Trade Exchange Reached €35 Billion in 2020
      Economy

      Morocco, EU Trade Exchange Reached €35 Billion in 2020

      Confirmed: Morocco Will Legalize Cannabis Next Week
      Economy

      Confirmed: Morocco Will Legalize Cannabis Next Week

      New Desalination Plant to Solve Water Scarcity in Morocco’s Laayoune
      Economy

      New Desalination Plant to Solve Water Scarcity in Morocco’s Laayoune

      AllInternationalMaghrebMiddle-EastMorocco
  • Opinion
    • Morocco: Time to Cut Diplomatic Relations with Algeria Long Overdue
      Op-ed

      Morocco: Time to Cut Diplomatic Relations with Algeria Long Overdue

      Why Biden Will Uphold US Western Sahara Recognition
      Op-Eds

      Why Biden Will Uphold US Western Sahara Recognition

      Responsible Tourism Offers Chance to Learn About Other, Self
      Op-ed

      Responsible Tourism Offers Chance to Learn About Other, Self

      South Africa-Algeria Chairmanship of the AU was a Major Setback for Africa
      Op-ed

      South Africa-Algeria Chairmanship of the AU was a Major Setback for Africa

      Morocco Must Heed Public Outrage to Avoid Next Tangier Tragedy
      Op-ed

      Morocco Must Heed Public Outrage to Avoid Next Tangier Tragedy

      AllEditorialsEssaysLettersOp-EdsVoices
  • Lifestyle
    • Scientists Discover 66-Million Years Old Coelacanth Fossil in Morocco
      Highlights on Morocco

      Scientists Discover 66-Million Years Old Coelacanth Fossil in Morocco

      Discovery of 2.5 Million Year Old Macaque Fossil In Morocco
      Culture

      Discovery of 2.5 Million Year Old Macaque Fossil In Morocco

      Moroccan Poet Mohamed Achaari Wins 2020 Argana International Poetry Prize
      Culture

      Moroccan Poet Mohamed Achaari Wins 2020 Argana International Poetry Prize

      Kharboucha Moroccan Heroine, Voice of Rebellion Against Injustice
      Culture

      Kharboucha: Moroccan Heroine, Voice of Rebellion Against Injustice

      Workers Discover 3-Centuries-Old Underground Tunnels in Tangier Medina
      Culture

      Workers Discover 3-Centuries-Old Underground Tunnels in Tangier Medina

      AllCultureBook and Movie ReviewsHistoryProfiles and interviewsUpcoming Events
  • Features
    • Dispelling Morocco’s Five Biggest Cannabis Myths
      Features

      Dispelling Morocco’s Five Biggest Cannabis Myths

      El Otmani’s Options: Three Paths Towards Legal Cannabis in Morocco
      Features

      El Otmani’s Options: Three Paths Towards Legal Cannabis in Morocco

      Algeria Resorts to Anti-Semitism to Attack Morocco-Israel Rapprochement
      Features

      Algeria Resorts to Anti-Semitism to Attack Morocco-Israel Rapprochement

      Kharboucha Moroccan Heroine, Voice of Rebellion Against Injustice
      Culture

      Kharboucha: Moroccan Heroine, Voice of Rebellion Against Injustice

      Morocco’s Social Security Ambitions to Cover All Citizens
      Features

      Morocco’s Social Security Ambitions to Cover All Citizens

  • Society
    • COVID-19 and Women in Morocco Proneness to Financial Trouble, Precarity
      Covid-19

      COVID-19 and Women in Morocco: Proneness to Financial Trouble, Precarity

      New Desalination Plant to Solve Water Scarcity in Morocco’s Laayoune
      Economy

      New Desalination Plant to Solve Water Scarcity in Morocco’s Laayoune

      COVID-19 and Women in Morocco Housework Prevents Girls From Education
      Covid-19

      COVID-19 and Women in Morocco: Housework Prevents Girls From Education

      Thunderstorms, Rainfall to hit Morocco
      Highlights on Morocco

      Morocco Forecasts Heavy Thunderstorms for Thursday, Friday

      Morocco Reaffirms Commitment to Multilateral Work on Migration Issues
      Morocco

      Morocco Reaffirms Commitment to Multilateral Work on Migration Issues

      AllExpatriatesGender issuesPortraitsRamadanReligion
  • Education
    • Education

      Al Akhawayn 1st University in Africa Accredited for Online Instruction

      Moroccan High Schoolers Talk Western Sahara at Public Speaking Contest
      Education

      Moroccan High Schoolers Talk Morocco’s Territorial Integrity at Public Speaking Contest

      British Council Starts English Learning Show on Morocco’s National Radio
      Education

      British Council Starts English Learning Show on Morocco’s National Radio

      ‘Essaouira Debates’ Discuss Morocco’s Diversity, Jewish History
      Education

      ‘Essaouira Debates’ Discuss Morocco’s Diversity, Jewish History

      Rate of Women Engineering Graduates in Morocco Among Highest Worldwide
      Education

      Rate of Women Engineering Graduates in Morocco Among Highest Worldwide

  • Covid-19
    • COVID-19 and Women in Morocco Proneness to Financial Trouble, Precarity
      Covid-19

      COVID-19 and Women in Morocco: Proneness to Financial Trouble, Precarity

      Morocco Receives 1 Additional Million Doses of AstraZeneca Vaccines
      Covid-19

      Morocco Receives Additional 1 Million Doses of AstraZeneca Vaccines

      COVID-19 and Women in Morocco Housework Prevents Girls From Education
      Covid-19

      COVID-19 and Women in Morocco: Housework Prevents Girls From Education

      COVID-19: Morocco Vaccinates 37,310 Citizens With Second Dose
      Covid-19

      COVID-19: Morocco Vaccinates 37,310 Citizens With Second Dose

      COVID-19 and Women in Morocco Difficult Access to Medical Care
      Covid-19

      COVID-19 and Women in Morocco: Difficult Access to Medical Care

  • Western Sahara
    • Burundi Reiterates Support for Morocco’s Territorial Integrity
      Morocco

      Burundi Reiterates Support for Morocco’s Territorial Integrity

      Morocco Exposes Polisario, Algeria’s Propaganda in Letter to UN
      Morocco

      Morocco Exposes Polisario, Algeria’s Propaganda in Letter to UN

      El Mundo Spain Fears Biden Will Maintain US Western Sahara Recognition
      International

      El Mundo: Spain Fears Biden Will Maintain US Western Sahara Recognition

      Morocco’s FM Urges EU to Embrace Positive Western Sahara Trend
      Morocco

      Morocco’s FM Urges EU to Embrace Positive Western Sahara Trend

      Algeria Donates About 40 New 4x4 Vehicles to Polisario Front
      Algeria

      Algeria Donates About 40 New 4×4 Vehicles to Polisario Front

      AllAutonomy planHistory
  • Home
  • Food
    • Moroccan Cuisine: 8 Traditional Street Foods You Must Try in Morocco
      Culture

      Moroccan Cuisine: 8 Traditional Street Foods You Must Try in Morocco

      Moroccan Cuisine: Five Soups You Should Integrate Into Your Diet
      Cuisine

      Moroccan Cuisine: Five Soups You Should Integrate Into Your Diet

      Casablanca’s Franklin Roosevelt Starbucks Among World’s ‘Most Beautiful’
      Food

      Casablanca’s Franklin Roosevelt Starbucks Among World’s ‘Most Beautiful’

      Cuisine

      Moroccan Chef Hamid Miss Celebrates Morocco’s Cuisine in France

      Cuisine

      Moroccan Cuisine: Nine Must-Visit Restaurants in Rabat

      AllHealth and DietRecipesRestaurant Reviews
  • Travel
    • In Photos One Cyclist’s Coddiwomple Across Morocco
      Features

      In Photos: One Cyclist’s Coddiwomple Across Morocco

      Moroccan, Switzerland Launch Program to Promote Sustainable Tourism
      Economy

      Morocco, Switzerland Launch Program to Promote Sustainable Tourism

      5 Historical Mausoleums You Should Visit in Morocco
      Culture

      5 Historical Mausoleums You Should Visit in Morocco

      Morocco’s Red City: Touristic Places in Marrakech You Must Visit
      Culture

      Morocco’s Red City: Touristic Places in Marrakech You Must Visit

      Laayoune Airport: Air traffic down 51% at the end of November
      Morocco

      Laayoune Airport: Air traffic down 51% at the end of November

      AllExperiencesHotel ReviewsWhere to visit
  • Culture
    • Discovery of 2.5 Million Year Old Macaque Fossil In Morocco
      Culture

      Discovery of 2.5 Million Year Old Macaque Fossil In Morocco

      Kharboucha Moroccan Heroine, Voice of Rebellion Against Injustice
      Culture

      Kharboucha: Moroccan Heroine, Voice of Rebellion Against Injustice

      Workers Discover 3-Centuries-Old Underground Tunnels in Tangier Medina
      Culture

      Workers Discover 3-Centuries-Old Underground Tunnels in Tangier Medina

      Moroccan-French Singer Receives Award from New York City
      Culture

      Moroccan-French Singer Receives Award from New York City

      Moroccan Photographers L4artiste, Psycho Moustache on Their Rise to Fame
      Culture

      Moroccan Photographers L4artiste, Psycho Moustache on Their Rise to Fame

      AllBook and Movie ReviewsHistoryProfiles and interviewsUpcoming Events
  • Style
    • Moroccan Photographers L4artiste, Psycho Moustache on Their Rise to Fame
      Culture

      Moroccan Photographers L4artiste, Psycho Moustache on Their Rise to Fame

      Tarzanisme: Journey of a Professional Moroccan Breakdancer
      Features

      Tarzanisme: Journey of a Professional Moroccan Breakdancer

      Olympique de Marseille Celebrates Morocco in New Colors of Africa Kit
      Highlights on Morocco

      Olympique de Marseille Celebrates Morocco in New Colors of Africa Kit

      Maison Artc: Morocco's Modernized Vintage Fashion House
      Fashion

      Maison Artc: Morocco’s Modernized Vintage Fashion House

      Michael Conduit: The Journey of A British Digital Artist in Morocco
      Culture

      Michael Conduit: The Journey of A British Digital Artist in Morocco

      AllFashionInterior DesignShopping
  • Places
    • Moroccan, Switzerland Launch Program to Promote Sustainable Tourism
      Economy

      Morocco, Switzerland Launch Program to Promote Sustainable Tourism

      “Reflet” Exhibition Promoting Art in Morocco Amid COVID-19
      Casablanca

      “Reflet” Exhibition Promoting Art in Morocco Amid COVID-19

      Global Shapers Community Opens Hub in Morocco’s Laayoune
      Economy

      Global Shapers Community Opens Hub in Morocco’s Laayoune

      Casablanca Floods: Lydec Breaks Silence, Tries to Make Up
      Administrative

      Casablanca Floods: Lydec Breaks Silence, Tries to Make Up

      Collapsed Building in Casablanca Killed 3 Victims, Including 1 Child
      Casablanca

      Collapsed Building in Casablanca Killed 3 Victims, Including 1 Child

      AllCasablancaFezMarrakechRabatTangier
  • Highlights
  • Events
  • Moroccans of the world
  • Media
  • Services
Home Highlights on Morocco AMPA’s successful 7th Moroccan American Bridges

AMPA’s successful 7th Moroccan American Bridges

Staff Writer
By
Staff Writer
-
Jul 3, 2013
Spread the love

By Hasna Sabah

Morocco World News

Casablanca, July 3, 2013

On Friday, June 21st, I attended an amazing event that reminded me of my days in Silicon Valley: the 7th Moroccan American Bridges conference held in Casablanca.  Revolving this year around the theme of Entrepreneurship as Morocco’s Engine for Growth, the conference was organized by the Association of Moroccan Professionals in America. AMPA is a non-profit membership organization whose aim is to bring together successful Moroccan professionals, in the US and beyond, to create synergy and value.

I was really proud of all the members, whether those in leading US companies (Google, Coca-cola, Bloomberg), and the startup founders (Enigma, Greendizer, Social IQ) or Morocco-based professionals (Microsoft, Dayam fund, hmizates.ma).  On a global level, the event was similar to Techwomen Entrepreneurship Day. However, it was special because the conference approached the subject matter from a Moroccan perspective. Hearing from dark-eyed conference panelists, who switched from time to time from English to Darija (our local  arabic) enhanced the transmission and processing of their message.  I was saying to myself, if they did it, I can do it!

In his keynote speech, Mr. Ahmed Reda Chami, ex Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies (also an engineer and businessman) highlighted Morocco’s need for its people and encouraged entrepreneurship by highlighting his own ventures.

Then he talked about the business climate in Morocco, described as the land of opportunities where everything has yet to be done, a gateway to Africa and one of the most appealing business environments in the MENA region.

While there are certainly more hassles in Morocco than in the US, suck as a lack of legislation on bankruptcy law, there are also many efforts underway (with focus on governmental ones) to help businesses through startup and financing: intilak, tatwir, innovation hubs at universities, Maroc numeric fund, etc.  Mr. Chami’s message was clear: this is the best time to start something in Morocco.

In the following session on the “entrepreneurship path,” panelists discussed best practices for various business steps:

– Ideas generation: one can spot a local need or something that is not working properly. It is possible then either to come up with a new solution or adapt a foreign model to local market, no matter how inventive or innovative the idea is, the most important thing being the perception of return.

– Business model: one has to keep in mind that realistic things that sell better are not necessarily fancy ones. In order to match correctly the needs of the market, one has to reach out first to potential customers and build upon that. Things can change and one has to adapt: perseverance is not rigidity.

It is also important to think of building a process to ensure payment, as making people pay you can be a tough problem.

– Financing: Apparently, there is plenty of money for business holders:  Maroc Numeric Fund, DAYAM fund, Atlas Business Angels, Ceed morocco (potentially), Reseau Entreprendre Maroc are all potential sources of revenue.Offers range from thousands to millions of Dirhams, depending on the needs, scale and status of the project. Some VC’s required ownership equity might be questionable however.

How does one get this money? By working hard on the pitch and if possible, playing the “customer satisfaction card.”

Startup competition

After the keynote speech came the Startup competition. There were 4 candidates:

Averty.ma: an online survey and opinion poll service.

bloomingbox.net: a cosmetics online shop

myVLE.com: a learning management system

stagiaires.ma: an intern recruiting service

The AMPA Award consists of funding, coaching and networking. Participants presented their mission, service details, growth and sales plans. Judges commented on the quality of the business pitches, asked questions about their revenue models, marketing strategies, customer management, and returns on investment.

I personally liked the performance of myVLE team: a smart introduction with their brainstorming during a Bissara (a very popular moroccan dish based on beans) and Meloui (another popular form of bread) meal. They also demonstrated their good assessment of the local market demand, and it was easy to see their efforts building the product.

The announcement of the winner was left till the end of the conference.

Lunchtime was a great opportunity to talk to some wonderful people and get energy for the afternoon.

During the third session, Achieving Career Growth in Morocco, I was a little bit dizzy and bored with discourse on management.  But I got the important message (for me at least) that getting a diploma from the US has many advantages, apart from the prestige. Most recruiters in Morocco don’t differentiate between US universities, unlike French schools with which they are familiar and know exactly their ranking.

Returning to Morocco to directly start a business might be a fiasco, especially if one is not aware of and ready to deal with hassles typical to morocco (I still smile when I remember how Mr Samir Benmakhlouf depicted that). A soft landing, at an international company here, is certainly a good alternative.

Mr Samir also gave valuable advice to Moroccan folks: we need to boost our technical skills.  In other words, getting certified on technologies of interest is as important as getting one’s degree.

I was perfectly awake for the forth session, very well introduced by Mr Mohamed El Manjra. I appreciated his way of seeing hassles as barriers to competitors as well, and encouraging perseverance as a key to success. Then came one of the best moments of the event: presentations by successful Moroccan entrepreneurs.

Hicham Oudghiri, co-founder of enigma.io  did an excellent job explaining what Big Data is all about. Today more than any time before, huge amounts of data are produced daily and need to be analysed. Banking, Telcos, Government, social networks are all examples of sectors abounding with opportunities. Hicham gave some outstanding examples beginning of course with his startup, and mentioned Netflix which had great success with its matching algorithm of likes and dislikes.

Representing e-commerce and the deals industries, Kamal Reggad, founder of hmizates.ma and hmall.ma, talked about  e-commerce opportunities in Morocco. Although some customers still prefer cash payment, the majority (70%) of transactions in his websites are done via credit card. Mobile payment is not implemented because of high fees required by telco operators. I also learned that the initiation of payment institutions in Morocco will certainly enlarge customers’ options and create many more opportunities for e-commerce.

The last presentation reminded me of how rich Moroccan soil is and that agriculture is a pillar of our economy. Mr Othmane Aqallal, founder of Atlas Olive Oils, gave an insightful look at wealthy opportunities in Agro-business. I was extremely thrilled to learn that Morocco is the third exporter of olive oil to US (behind Italy and Spain). Our product is good and has great potential, but it needs added value and marketing efforts. Atlas Olive Oils has been working on that, by designing nice bottles, getting certified to high quality standards and doing R&D to develop medicinal products based on olive oil. The company won an impressive number of awards and I am sure the best is still coming. Way to go Moroccans.

The event closed on a high note. The Startup competition winners were announced:  The myVLE team did it!  What an enthusiastic, achieving and humorous team! They deserved it and were Heartily applauded by everyone. Congratulations to our education re-inventors.

Facebook
Twitter
Linkedin
WhatsApp
Email
ReddIt
Pinterest
    Staff Writer

    RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

    US Moroccan Relations. Photo Courtesy US Embassy Rabat
    Highlights on Morocco

    Forum for American Moroccan Professionals Network to Take Place On June 23

    MOST WATCHED VIDEOS
    Polisario Supporters Storm Moroccan Consulate General in Valencia

    Polisario Supporters Storm Moroccan Consulate General in Valencia

    Tamba François Koundouno - Nov 15, 2020
    Rania Sara Moroccan sisters the Voice Kids France

    The Voice Kids: French-Moroccan Sisters Amaze Judges to Reach Finals

    Diaspora Oct 4, 2020
    Video Shows Children Witnessing, Surviving Beirut Explosion

    Video Shows Children Witnessing, Surviving Beirut Explosion

    News Aug 5, 2020
    Beirut Explosion Leaves Royal Air Maroc Agency in Ruins

    Video: Beirut Explosion Leaves Royal Air Maroc Agency in Ruins

    International Aug 5, 2020
    ‘Morocco’s Warrior Women’ The Inspirational Riders Taking on Fantasia

    ‘Morocco’s Warrior Women’: The Inspirational Riders Taking on Fantasia

    Culture Jul 29, 2020
    MOST READ

    LIFESTYLE UPDATES

    Scientists Discover 66-Million Years Old Coelacanth Fossil in Morocco
    Highlights on Morocco Feb 25, 2021

    Scientists Discover 66-Million Years Old Coelacanth Fossil in Morocco

    Discovery of 2.5 Million Year Old Macaque Fossil In Morocco
    Culture Feb 23, 2021

    Discovery of 2.5 Million Year Old Macaque Fossil In Morocco

    Moroccan Poet Mohamed Achaari Wins 2020 Argana International Poetry Prize
    Culture Feb 21, 2021

    Moroccan Poet Mohamed Achaari Wins 2020 Argana International Poetry Prize

    EXPERIENCES

    • Culture Morocco’s Red City: Touristic Places in Marrakech You Must Visit Morocco’s Red City: Touristic Places in Marrakech You Must Visit
    • Experiences California to Morocco: A Student’s COVID-19 Diary of Self-Discovery California to Morocco: A Student’s COVID-19 Diary of Self-Discovery
    • Experiences Travel in Morocco: Exploring Tinmel Mosque, a Hidden Gem Travel in Morocco: Exploring Tinmel Mosque, a Hidden Gem

    MOST READ

    MOST READ OPINIONS
    [getmostpop category=11 range="last30days"]

    Latest Articles

    EU Ambassador Welcomes New Direction in Morocco-EU Relations

    US Swears in Linda Thomas-Greenfield as Ambassador to UN

    COVID-19 and Women in Morocco: Proneness to Financial Trouble, Precarity

    Renault Vehicle Financing in Morocco Begins to Climb by Q4 2020

    Dispelling Morocco’s Five Biggest Cannabis Myths

    Morocco World News

    About us

    Morocco World News: Championing Free Speech and Thoughtful Debate Through Journalistic Excellence.

    Morocco World News is dedicated to bringing the news of Morocco and the MENA region to a wide audience without bias or a political agenda.

    Contact us: [email protected]

    DMCA.com Protection Status

    Useful Links

    • About
    • Contributors
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Correspondents
    • Editorial Board