EMA delegation experiences the Kingdom’s spirit of optimism

During the three-day German-Moroccan economic forum in the kingdom between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, more than 25 representatives of German companies had the exclusive opportunity to get to know various business locations as well as high-ranking decision-makers and business representatives of the country together with the President of EMA, former Federal President Christian Wulff. From May 29 to June 1, the Forum, which was established for the sixth time in a row, led through the cities of Casablanca, Rabat, Kenitra and Tangier.

Casablanca – Africa’s business metropolis

The starting signal for the delegation trip was given by the German Ambassador to Morocco Volkmar Wenzel with a briefing on the political and economic developments in the country in the newly opened German Business Center (GBC) in the heart of the Moroccan business metropolis Casablanca, which also houses the EMA headquarters in Morocco. With its extensive range of services, the GBC serves as a contact point for German companies wishing to gain a foothold in the Moroccan market.

The subsequent conference, which was attended by the President of the Casablanca Chamber of Commerce Mustapha Ambal, the Head of the Regional Investment Center Abdallah Chater and the Vice General Director of the Casablanca Finance City Authority Lamia Merzouki, among others, highlighted Casablanca’s locational advantages and investment potential. After the subsequent B2B talks between the delegation participants and selected Moroccan business representatives, the delegation visited the business location of the Moroccan electrical manufacturer Ingelec, which distributes its products throughout the African market.

Rabat – connects, both people and places

In Rabat, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung invited to the evening reception with a panel discussion on the topic “Peaceful coexistence: A common responsibility”. The panel guests, above all the Moroccan head of government Abdelilah Benkirane, the ambassador of the European Union in Morocco Rupert Roy and EMA president Christian Wulff, called in the presence of 300 conference topics for more international understanding, which is necessary as basis for an economic exchange. The Mediterranean should not be seen as an obstacle but as a bridge between Europe and the Arab world, said Wulff.

The subsequent EMA conference in Rabat was dedicated to transport, infrastructure and urban development. Both H.E. Driss Merroun, Minister of Urban and Regional Development, and H.E. Mohamed Najib Boulif, Assistant Minister of Transport and Logistics, presented Morocco’s ambitious infrastructure plans and showed great interest in the project presentations of the German delegation participants, who held intensive B2B talks with Moroccan business representatives after the conference.
Kenitra – A city that wants to get involved

Another item on the program was a visit to the growing industrial city of Kenitra with its Atlantic Free Zone, strategically located between the major economic centers of Casablanca and Tangier and the political capital Rabat. In addition to a presentation in the Business Center of the Free Zone, the delegation participants were offered a tour with an introduction to the companies located there, including a German cable manufacturer. The new port currently under construction is expected to further boost the Kenitra location.

Tangier – Gateway to Africa, Window to Europe

Last but not least, the delegation trip led to Tangier, which has undergone rapid economic development in recent years. The Tangier Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Regional Investment Center welcomed the delegation at the conference entitled “Tangier: Mediterranean Hub”. During the conference, which was also covered by the Moroccan television station 2M, numerous construction projects in Tangier were presented, including the conversion of the old city port into a modern marina and cruise ship port. The conference was followed by a tour of the new Tangier Automotive City and the port of Tangier Med. The delegation could more than clearly convince themselves that the region of Tangier has developed into a hub of international trade. The delegation trip was rounded off with a cultural tour and a dinner with traditional Moroccan live music in the old town of Tangier.