Rabat – A French delegation, led by the Mayor of Montpellier Michael Delafosse, visited the southern Moroccan city of Dakhla on Friday to explore business opportunities and discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the two regions.
During the visit, the French delegation learned about major development projects and discovered the economic potential of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region. The visit also focused on plans to boost cooperation between the city of Dakhla and Montpellier, with a cooperation and friendship agreement expected to be signed soon.
Speaking to the press, Delafosse commended the development of the region under the leadership of King Mohammed VI. He said that the long-standing relations between Morocco and France are gaining new momentum, driven by the shared commitment of the two countries’ leaders.
He added that local governments and economic, cultural, and sports actors will help strengthen this cooperation even further.
Delafosse announced that the upcoming agreement will focus on supporting water sports, promoting cultural exchange through festivals, and encouraging sustainable economic projects, especially in renewable energy.
Meanwhile, the President of Dakhla’s local council, Erragheb Hormatallah, said that the visit aims to build strong, practical ties between the two cities. He added that the cooperation agreement is part of a broader effort to deepen bilateral relations, especially after France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara region.
Morocco-France relations gained new momentum after French President Emmanuel Macron announced his country’s support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, as well as endorsed its Autonomy Plan.
During their stay, the French delegation held meetings with senior officials, including the Secretary-General of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, Abdelrazzak El Kourji, and Vice President of the Regional Council, Moulay Boutal El M’Barki, as well as Monir El Houari, Director of the Regional Investment Center.
The delegation was informed about the region’s development in different sectors and ongoing major infrastructure projects aimed at connecting the region and boosting its potential. They also explored investment opportunities and the incentives available for investors.
As part of the visit, the delegation toured several important sites, including the construction site of Dakhla Atlantic Port, the Higher Institute of Audiovisual and Cinema Professions, and the future site of MGH Energie, a company specializing in green energy and e-fuel production.
