Rabat – The US State Department’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) underlined the prosperous future of Morocco’s southern-most city of Dakhla on its Twitter page, citing the Dakhla Connect Project.
In a tweet, MEPI stated that Dakhla Connect “connects local businesses with global investors attracted to Dakhla’s little-known business advantages and opportunities.”
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Dakhla Connect, part of <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/MEPI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#MEPI</a>'s economic opportunity project in Dakhla and Laayoune, connects local businesses with global investors attracted to Dakhla's little-known <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/business?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#business</a> advantages and opportunities. For more information on Dakhla Connect, visit <a href=”https://t.co/5uA4aYua3s”>https://t.co/5uA4aYua3s</a></p>— MEPI (@USMEPI) <a href=”https://twitter.com/USMEPI/status/1411013122597568516?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>July 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
The US’ Office of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) announced the project in January 2021 at the headquarters of the wilaya of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region. US Under-Secretary of State in charge of Middle East and North Africa issues, David Schenker, attended the inaugural event and stated that it “opens opportunities for closer cooperation.”
Not only does the project aim to boost both domestic and foreign investment in the region, but it also signifies the US’ commitment to Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Despite the Polisario sympathizers’ claims that the Biden Administration may reverse former US President Trump’s decision to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty in the region, the US announced that it would uphold the former administration’s decision on July 1, 2021.
Brett McGurk, White House National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, reportedly told Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita that the Biden Administration “is not planning to roll back Trump’s Western Sahara step.”
Ned Price, White House spokesperson, laid any and all confusion to rest on July 2 by confirming that the US’ recognition “remains the administration’s position. I have no update for you… there is no change.”
Read also: Ned Price: US Maintains Recognition of Morocco’s Sovereignty Over Western Sahara
In addition, the US is currently in the developmental stage of building its second Moroccan Consulate General in Dakhla.
Diverse investment opportunities
The Dakhla Connect Project describes the city as “a fertile ground to set up your investment projects.”
The project’s website promotes investment in sectors such as agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, logistics, renewable energies, and tourism. Complimenting the kingdom’s like-minded initiatives in the region, the US’ MEPI intends to support Morocco’s “Gateway to Africa” ambitions by promoting Dakhla as a ”logistics hub full of growth potential.”
Not only does MEPA focus on Dakhla’s economic potential, but the US initiative also notes Dakhla’s recreational advantages. Due to its location, Dakhla is home to some of Morocco’s most infamous windsurfing sites.
The site also notes that investors receive special incentives such as ”zero corporate tax rate for the first 5 years of operation” and a “total exemption from VAT on capital goods acquired in Morocco or abroad for a period of 36 months.”
Additionally, foreign investors may receive financial assistance through the kingdom’s Ithmar Capital, “a strategic investment fund and a financial vehicle that aims to support the national sectoral strategies.”
Other Moroccan initiatives in Dakhla such as the Dakhla Port project and the Tiznit-Dakhla highway intend to make the region even more desirable in the eyes of foreign and domestic investors alike.
