Rabat – A delegation of staff members working for US Congress members visited Dakhla on Wednesday to learn more about the region’s economic potential, ongoing development projects, and investment opportunities.
The delegation, made up of political, economic, and legislative advisers to members of the US Congress, held meetings with the governor of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, Ali Khalil, and the president of the regional council, Yanja El Khattat.
During the meetings, Moroccan officials presented the region’s major development projects and highlighted key sectors driving its economy, including renewable energy, agriculture, tourism, and fisheries. Discussions also focused on ways to strengthen economic cooperation between Morocco and the US.
Officials noted Dakhla’s strategic position as Morocco’s gateway to Africa, pointing to ongoing infrastructure projects aimed at turning the region into a regional trade and investment hub.
Speaking to the press, El Khattat said the visit reflects the growing momentum in Morocco-US relations. He said it gave the delegation an opportunity to discover the region’s investment potential and discuss ways to deepen economic ties between the two countries.
He added that presentations by the Regional Council and the Regional Investment Center introduced the visitors to several large-scale projects underway in the region, particularly in renewable energy, agriculture, and tourism.
El Khattat also expressed hope that the visit would help create new opportunities for economic cooperation and encourage more American investment in the region.
Meanwhile, Acting Director General of the Regional Investment Center, Faisal Sahmani, said the visit demonstrates the interest of US congressional staff in Dakhla-Oued Eddahab’s economic potential. He noted that the delegation was briefed on investment opportunities as well as the efforts being made to improve the region’s attractiveness to investors.
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The delegation also visited the construction site of the Dakhla Atlantic Port, one of Morocco’s flagship infrastructure projects. Officials presented updates on the progress of the port before the visitors toured several key sites across the city.
The visit comes as Morocco continues to receive foreign delegations interested in the development of its southern provinces. Diplomats, business leaders, investors, and parliamentary delegations from several countries have traveled to Dakhla and Laayoune to explore investment opportunities and witness the region’s economic transformation in recent years.
The Dakhla Atlantic Port, renewable energy projects, and expanding tourism sector have attracted growing international attention, with Moroccan officials presenting the region as an emerging investment destination linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
The US recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2020. Since then, successive US administrations have maintained support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a serious, credible, and realistic basis for resolving the conflict. During recent meetings with Moroccan officials, US representatives have reiterated their backing for the autonomy initiative while continuing to encourage a UN-led political process.
The latest visit by congressional staff reflects the continued interest of American officials in the economic development of Morocco’s southern provinces and the opportunities created by the region’s large-scale infrastructure and investment projects.
