Rabat – French businessmen visited Morocco’s Dakhla on Tuesday, and held a meeting with local officials to explore investment opportunities in the city.
The meeting was part of the economic mission of the metropolis of Meurthe-et-Moselle (Metz)
The mission is the fruit of a cooperation between the Regional Investment Center (CRI) and Inspire Metz Attractiveness Agency in partnership with the Consulate General of Morocco in Strasbourg.
The mission seeks to inform the economic delegation of major development projects taking place in the region.
The mission’s visit spanning Dakhla-Oued Eddahab and Souss Massa region is scheduled from October 26-31.
It aims to develop and support economic and trade ties between Morocco and France.
French economic actors participating in the mission discussed investment opportunities in different sectors, including agribusiness, real estate, tourism, renewable energies, and fisheries.
The investors also expressed determination to lookout for business opportunities in the region, and their readiness to contribute to local economic development.
Mounir Houari, Director of the CRI of Dakhla Oued Eddahab introduced the assets in the region, including the Dakhla Atlantic port, and the West Africa Free Zone, as well as a seawater desalination facility project.
The desalination project seeks to irrigate 5,000 hectares of agricultural land.
Houari also emphasized the region’s promising second sector, including fishing, aquaculture, renewable energies, and tourism.
He said that Dakhla is a “regional hub” connecting Europe and Africa.
“It has become a center for intra-African trade, ideal for local production and the flow of goods,” he added.
Houari also emphasized the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is set to guarantee a commercial and economic boost in the region.
Mayor of Metz, Francois Grosdidier, said that the French economic mission sought to explore the region, describing Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, as “very rich in economic and human potential.”
“Dakhla is the gateway from Europe to Africa,” he said, emphasizing that the infrastructure in the region will be strengthened by the Dakhla Atlantic port as well as the development of renewable energies.
Recently, several delegations visited Dakhla as part of their interest in business opportunities in the region.
In June, a delegation of Arab ambassadors traveled to Dakhla to explore the city’s economic assets.
The delegations included ambassadors of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Yemen.
The diplomats discussed investment opportunities and visited major projects completed in the region, including many others currently underway.
The envoys also visited the local industrial units specializing in the conservation of pelagic fish, such as sardines and tuna.
