Held in the heart of the Moroccan Sahara, the event aims to give fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation while showcasing the strategic and economic potential of Morocco’s southern regions. According to L’Économiste, preparations are well underway: Chakib Alj, President of the CGEM, together with Vice-President Mehdi Tazi, recently brought together key stakeholders to finalize the last details. Also present were the co-presidents of the France-Morocco Business Leaders Club, Mohamed El Kettani and Ross McInnes, along with representatives of professional federations and major companies.
The General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) underlined that this high-level economic gathering will bring together institutional and private operators from both countries, with the goal of fostering new partnerships and identifying investment opportunities offered by southern Morocco. Discussions will focus on several strategic sectors, including agri-industry, renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, tourism, and services.
France remains one of Morocco’s top economic partners. With trade between the two countries reaching €14.1 billion in 2023, Morocco has become France’s leading trading partner in Africa. France is also Morocco’s second-largest supplier and customer, as well as its top foreign investor, with €8.4 billion in FDI stock in 2023—nearly a third of the total. Moroccan investments in France are also rising, climbing from €372 million in 2015 to €1.7 billion in 2023.
This positive momentum reflects the framework of a “strengthened exceptional partnership” consolidated during French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent state visit to Morocco. The partnership aims to deepen bilateral cooperation in key areas such as energy transition, connectivity, and innovation, thereby opening up new opportunities for businesses on both sides of the Mediterranean.
Translated from Abderrazzak Boussaid’s French article – le7tv