Rafik Lahlou to Head Morocco-Canada Business Council

Rabat – Rafik Lahlou on Tuesday became the new chairman of the Morocco-Canadian Business Council for a two-year mandate.

“Having the primary mission to promote economic collaboration between the countries, the Morocco Canada Business Council has named Rafik Lahlou as the new council chairman,” the council said in a statement reported by Morocco’s press agency (MAP) on April 18.

“The appointment is a recognition of Lahlou’s efforts to promote cooperation between business entities from both countries,” the statement explained.

As of 2021, Canada is the world’s ninth-largest economy, with a Gross Domestic Production (GDP) of around CAD 2.12 billion ($1.6 billion). But Africa accounts for only 2% of Canada’s trade exchange, Lahlou explained during the council meeting.

In 2018, Morocco was Canada’s fourth-largest African partner in bilateral trading, according to Lahlou.

“Africa will be the new horizon for Canada,” he said.

In the light of this data, and as the new chairman of the council, Lahlou stressed the importance of boosting economic relations between Morocco and Canada.

“We hope to optimize bilateral trade with Morocco, with special attention to the exchange of know-how, and investment, paving the way for high-prospect collaboration,” he added.

The Morocco-Canada Business Council’s primary mission is to consolidate and advise on economic ventures joining companies from both countries.

The council equally works to provide a centralized data hub accessible to members of the General Confederation of Moroccan Entreprises (CGEM).

Established by CGEM, the Morocco-Canadian Business Council is one of many business councils with a pivotal role in Morocco’s economic development, the statement said.

The councils are essential to promoting international trade, stimulating business partnerships, and strengthening cooperation between Morocco and other countries.

The appointment coincides with the date commemorating 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Other members of the council include vice-president Mehdi Menzine, CEO of Akwa Immo, Mohammed Baida, of Omagesti Group, Omar Cherkaoui, from FinanceActive, and Ayman Cheikh Lahlou, from Cooper Pharma.

The council board also includes Karim Cheikh, President of Morocco’s Aeronautic and Space Cluster (GIMAS), Taoufik Bensouda, President of Food Cluster, Sophia Alj, Entrepreneur and co-founder of startup Chari, and Zineb El Jazouli, Communication Director & RSE at Renault Group.

The council comprises 13 sectorial commissions, covering industrial, and tech sectors among others. The commissions feature a selection of the most active business makers from each sector operating in Morocco and Canada.