Speaking at the opening of the Morocco–France Economic Forum, Sitail said the event, held in the pearl of southern Morocco, reflects the vitality of an exceptional partnership founded on shared values, a common vision, and concrete projects serving sustainable and inclusive development.
She praised the depth of the ties uniting the two nations, emphasizing that this partnership is above all driven by “men and women who not only believe in it but bring it to life and help it grow.”
Sitail noted that this forum goes beyond symbolism, marking a genuine act of recognition and commitment in a region emblematic of the Moroccan Sahara. She recalled that French President Emmanuel Macron had acknowledged that “the present and future of the Sahara fall within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.”
According to the ambassador, Dakhla embodies the defining priorities of this century: energy transition, sustainable water management, port and logistics infrastructure, responsible fishing, and sustainable tourism. These projects, she said, reflect Morocco’s ambition to build a forward-looking nation connected to its continent.
Citing the Dakhla Atlantic Port, the Tiznit–Dakhla expressway, and desalination and renewable energy projects, Sitail underlined that these initiatives showcase Morocco’s drive to create a modern, resilient development model that is deeply integrated with Africa.
She added that a true partnership is measured not by words but by its ability to generate growth, investment, and lasting jobs. France, she noted, remains a key economic partner of the Kingdom, and this long-standing relationship—once focused mainly on the Mediterranean—is now extending toward the Atlantic, with Dakhla emerging as a new hub of growth and a gateway to Africa.
On the human level, the diplomat highlighted Dakhla’s inclusive development model, rooted in local entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability. The region, she said, brings together Moroccan know-how and French expertise to create not only economic value and employment but also purpose and shared progress.
Sitail also commended the active involvement of French institutions already engaged in developing Morocco’s southern provinces, including the French Development Agency (AFD), Proparco, and the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Morocco (CFCIM), which continue to support sustainable development initiatives and strengthen economic exchanges.
She concluded by stressing that French companies should come to Dakhla “not symbolically, but as active players in an already thriving dynamic,” reminding that Franco-Moroccan cooperation is built on the ground, over time, and through measurable results.
Organized by the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) and the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF), through the France–Morocco Business Leaders Club, the forum aims to strengthen bilateral economic ties and identify new synergies between the Moroccan and French business communities.
Editorial team/le7tv