Rabat – A business delegation from the Canary Islands visited the southern Moroccan city of Dakhla to explore investment and business opportunities in the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region. The visit aimed to identify promising sectors and discuss new prospects for economic and trade cooperation between the two sides.
The Federation of Fisheries and Aquaculture organized the delegation’s trip in partnership with Spain’s Federation of Port Companies (FEDEPORT) and the Canary Islands Economic Promotion Company (Proexca).
The initiative comes as part of efforts to strengthen economic ties between Morocco and the Canary Islands in high-potential areas, including port services, logistics, port digitalization, renewable energy, the blue economy, and the circular economy.
Speaking to the press, Omar Akouri, President of the Federation of Fisheries and Aquaculture, celebrated the strong cooperation that has been built over the years with partners in the Canary Islands, especially through the exchange of expertise in the fisheries sector.
He said the visit offered the Spanish delegation an opportunity to see firsthand the major development taking place in the region, particularly in fisheries and modern infrastructure.
José Juan Socas, President of FEDEPORT, discussed the importance of the Dakhla Atlantic Port project, describing it as a “very significant commercial opportunity” for Canary Islands companies working in the port sector.
He added that Canary Islands businesses are continuously looking to expand into external markets, especially in Africa, and that understanding Morocco’s major port project is essential for future cooperation.
Meanwhile, Elba Bueno, Secretary General of FEDEPORT in the Canary Islands, said the visit aimed to learn more about the progress of the “highly important” project. She affirmed that companies in the islands’ blue economy sector need to be aware of the opportunities offered by a strategic project of this scale, currently being developed by Morocco.
Read also: Western Sahara: What to Expect from the Post-Resolution 2797 Phase
Throughout their stay, the delegation met with regional and port authorities and held bilateral meetings with local economic actors. They also visited the site of the Dakhla Atlantic Port, where Project Director Nesrine Iouzi presented detailed explanations about the structure, goals, and €1.3 billion ($1.51billion) investment behind this strategic infrastructure.
The delegation includes representatives of Canary Islands companies active in port and maritime sectors, as well as industries linked to port services, logistics management, engineering, and port technologies.
The visit also comes at a time when cooperation between Morocco and Spain is at one of its strongest phases, especially after Madrid officially backed Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara in 2022. Spain considers the plan “the most serious, credible, and realistic” solution to the regional dispute. This shift has contributed to a new era of trust and closer collaboration in security, trade, and regional development.
The latest United Nations Security Council resolution on Western Sahara has reinforced this dynamic. The resolution renewed MINURSO’s mandate and once again called for a realistic, pragmatic, and compromise-based political solution. It also highlighted the importance of advancing the political process based on Morocco’s Autonomy Plan, which continues to gain international support, including from Spain.
