![Spanish Representatives Oppose Morocco’s Joint Bid with Spain and Portugal Spain’ Prime Minister proposed a trio bid with Morocco and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup; but the idea does not appear to be popular with Spanish politicians. The representatives of two Spanish political parties, the People’s Party and the Citizens-Party, have said they do not want Spain to submit a joint candidacy with Portugal and Morocco for the 2030 World Cup. In a meeting organized by the National Federation of Sports Facilities Entrepreneurs (FNEID) in Madrid, the People’s party representative, Vicente Azpitarte dismissively spoke about Spain joining a trio with Morocco and Portugal to organize the World Cup. Azpitarte specifically wondered whether Spain would get any advantages from teaming up with the two countries, t Spanish news outlet Iusport reported on Wednesday. The Citizens-Party representative, Roberto Nunez, agreed with Azpitarte. “We do not intend to organize a World Cup with other countries. Spain has more than enough capacity [to organize the World Cup], it is a country that has already organized a World Cup, and we do not understand that proposal,” Nunez said. The adviser of United Podemos, Oscar Penas, stated that he does not clearly see why “the priority is to organize a World Cup or an Olympiad at this time.” Morocco and Spain cooperate on a number of issues, ranging from security and migration to trade and education. On November 18, the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, arrived in Morocco for a first visit since his election to premiership. During his visit, Sanchez proposed to both Head of Government Saad Eddine El Othmani and King Mohammed VI a joint bid for the 2030 World Cup. “We are launching a joint message, which is that this will be a bid between two continents. The King of Morocco is receptive and we’re going to work on it with Portugal. We are very excited about it,” Sanchez said.](https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ABL-Launches-in-Casablanca-Becoming-Africa’s-First-Aircraft-Leaser-180x135.jpeg "ABL Launches in Casablanca, Becoming Africa’s First Aircraft Leaser")
Mid-sized Florida businesses in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agricultural equipment, and healthcare can find new opportunities to invest in Morocco.
Rabat – Enterprise Florida (EFI), the state’s principal economic development organization, “will lead a business delegation of small and mid-sized Florida manufacturers and services providers on an export sales mission to Casablanca,” EFI said in a press release on January 10.
The trade mission is scheduled for April 14-18 with the aim to facilitate business cooperation between the Florida delegates and their counterparts in Morocco.
“Morocco has become a top destination for foreign investments and trade,” said Manny Mencia, senior vice president of international trade and development for EFI.
“Morocco has increased investment in its port, transportation, and industrial infrastructure to position itself as a center for business throughout Africa. Florida companies in industries like energy, infrastructure, agricultural equipment, and healthcare can find great new opportunities there.”
Read Also: European Parliament Passes EU-Morocco Agriculture Agreement
The EFI, which is a public-private partnership between Floridian business and government leaders, touted Morocco’s strategic location and favorable business environment.
“With a total population of 35 million people and having the sixth-largest economy in Africa, Morocco is seen as the gateway to sub-Saharan Africa with its developed trade environment.”
The organization also noted the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between Morocco and the US in 2006, “the only U.S. FTA with an African nation.”
The FTA eliminated a 95 percent tariff on traded consumer and industrial goods exported to Morocco.
Read Also: Morocco’s Economic and Social Progress is an opportunity for the West
Florida companies’ high-quality goods and services, said EFI, “have a significant competitive advantage and are well-suited for the types of industries being pursued by businesses in Morocco.”
As part of the export sales mission, EFI will set up “pre-screened, one-on-one Gold Key meetings” with interested Moroccan companies, in coordination with the US Commercial Service.
Based on a first-come, first-served rule, the organization will select only 12 small and mid-sized Florida companies for the Gold Key package. Other companies may qualify for a Gold Key Grant.
