Join on WhatsApp 
Join on Telegram Rabat – The second edition of the annual International Forum of Industrial Zones kicked off today in Casablanca, Morocco, with the aim of boosting the attractiveness and competitiveness of Morocco’s industrial zones in the global market.
The event brought together experts, policy makers, and industrialists from the automotive, aerospace, chemicals, and textiles sectors to discuss the theme “Sustainable industrial zones, how do they contribute to the competitiveness of the industry?”
Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour and Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali delivered an opening speech at the event, stressing the country’s commitment to developing its industrial zones and attracting foreign investment.
Akram Allaoui, the Director of industrial and commercial infrastructures, technology and research and development at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, highlighted Morocco’s efforts over the years to boost the country’s industrial zones.
Attendees at the second edition of the International Forum of Industrial Zones
He recalled the “industrial acceleration plan” that Morocco launched in 2014 with the aim of developing its industrial infrastructure. In addition, the Ministry of Industry and Trade over the past two years launched the “industrial recovery plan” with the aim of “upgrading and improving the competitiveness and attractiveness of Morocco.”
“The Kingdom has a fairly diversified offer in terms of infrastructure, platforms, parks, rental areas … depending on the needs of investors,” Allaoui stressed.
Speakers at the second edition of the International Forum of Industrial Zones
Ahmed Bennis from the Africa Economic Zones Organization highlighted the importance of exchanging industrial expertise and knowledge across the African continent, highlighting the job opportunities and economic gains that the creation of industrial zones offers African peoples and nations.
Read also: Industrial Activity in Morocco Decreases Throughout May
Beniss spoke of the urgent need to establish a “collaborative framework dedicated to capacity building, sharing of expertise, and connecting African economic zones with international economic actors.”
Ahmed Bennis from the African Economic Zones Organization
In addition, CEO of Maroc Force Emploi Khadija Tamda highlighted the challenges that are hindering the development of industrial zones in Morocco, including those that the workforce face in terms of accommodation and proper training.
“We are talking about industrialization in the automotive, aeronautical and robotic fields, but have we thought about the training of these young people?,” she said, highlighting that “the objective is to prepare a skilled workforce that can be made available to investors.”
Tamda touched on the issue of housing that the workers face, notably those that live far from the industrial zones and need to relocate. She called on the companies present at the event to “think about solutions for these young people who are geographically mobile, but cannot be accommodated.”
Morocco is currently home to over 138 industrial zones and 12 industrial acceleration zones.
CEO of Maroc Force Emploi Khadija Tamda
