Morocco is committed to facilitating the expansion in Africa of island companies

Family image of the Canarian delegation that accompanied Torres, with business representatives from Morocco. / C7

The President of the Government of the Canary Islands and the Moroccan employers sign an agreement to help companies in sectors such as tourism, water treatment

The Government of the Canary Islands and Moroccan employers signed a collaboration agreement yesterday for the expansion of companies from the islands in Morocco and other neighboring countries on the African continent in sectors such as tourism, water treatment and renewable energy.
"Africa represents a real opportunity to move forward together"said the president of the Government of the Canary Islands, Ángel Víctor Torres, during an economic meeting organized at the headquarters of the Moroccan employers' association in Casablanca.

The agreement, signed between the Morocco-Spain Economic Council (CEMAES) and the Canarian public company Proexca to support companies from the islands abroad, aims at sectors where the archipelago is a leader, such as tourism, water engineering ( sanitation and desalination), circular economy, renewable energy, logistics and transport, as well as construction and infrastructure.

In a statement to the media, Torres indicated that during his two-day visit to the North African country, which ended yesterday,
“very relevant” meetings between businessmen from both countries.

“Some aspects could be specified, such as the signing of an agreement between the Canary Islands and Morocco to be able to walk with other third countries in Africa so that Canarian companies can bid in countries such as Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Mauritania or Senegal or others”, he highlighted.

The Canarian president congratulated himself that five Canarian companies have recently won five tenders in the Maghreb country and that the Moroccan government is "clearly committed" to reactivating the Tarfaya-Fuerteventura shipping line.

Torres was accompanied by about thirty businessmen from the Canary Islandsrepresentatives of two commercial employers' associations, of the four commercial chambers, of the port authorities and of the industrial, agricultural and audiovisual sector.

On his first day of visit, the Canarian president had meetings with the President of the Moroccan Government, Aziz Ajanuch; the Foreign Minister, Naser Burita; the president of the House of Representatives (lowering from the Moroccan Parliament), Rachid Talbi Alami, and the Minister of Transport, Mohamed Benabdeljalil.

The second day had a commercial nature with meetings between Canarian and Moroccan businessmen. "We are happy with these two intense days of work to strengthen ties and have the best possible neighborhood with the kingdom of Morocco," said Torres. During the forum, the president of CEMAES, Adil Rais, called on Canarian companies to take advantage of the agreement:
"We want this agreement not to remain on paper"said.

For his part, the president of the Moroccan employers' association, the General Confederation of Moroccan Companies (CGEM), Chakib Alj, stressed that the Canary Islands "have significant potential that both countries can capitalize on in strategic sectors" specifically citing tourism, fishing and renewable energy.

"Good job done"

The President of the Canary Islands, Ángel Víctor Torres, concluded his trip with the satisfaction of "a good job done". Torres described yesterday as a "success", with meetings in which the two business associations with representatives of the industry, agricultural, audiovisual, and port sectors, have addressed "very relevant" issues in forums with Moroccan businessmen where they have discussed issues such as finalizing the signing of an addendum where the Canary Islands and Morocco agree to be able to walk with third countries in Africa.

All this, he stressed, allows us to verify the "good relations between the Government of Spain and Morocco", which he stated is "very important" for the Canary Islands.