A delegation of French business leaders and economic decision-makers, led by French ambassador to Rabat, Christophe Lecourtier, visited on Wednesday major structuring projects in the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region.
This visit, initiated by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Morocco (CFCIM) as part of the Morocco-France Economic Days in Laâyoune-Sakia El-Hamra and Dakhla-Oued Eddahab regions, enabled the delegation to see at first hand the assets of the Kingdom's southern provinces and their potential for attracting investment, forging partnerships and strengthening trade.
CFCIM President Claudia Gaudiau-Francisco told MAP that the goal of this visit is to present French business leaders with investment opportunities in the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region.
The aim is to learn about completed or ongoing projects as part of the Regional Development Program (PDR), she added, highlighting French companies' willingness to take part in this "co-building" approach and contribute to major projects in southern provinces, in the context of a multifaceted cooperation between France and Morocco.
"We visited several structuring projects underway, including the Dakhla seawater desalination plant," Gaudiau-Francisco said, noting that it is important for French companies to be involved in the accomplishment of future projects and to contribute to the economic dynamic at regional level.
For his part, French investor and director of subsidiary ID Sud Énergies Edren Klein pointed out that the Kingdom is in a position to implement large-scale projects, as demonstrated by the economic upswing in southern provinces, which now have strong development potential.
In turn, Managing Director of Bureau Veritas Northern Africa Bruno Pitou said he was "impressed" by the region's major development potential, particularly in terms of green energy. He stated that many French agencies are interested in investment opportunities in this part of the Kingdom.
The French ambassador alongside the delegation visited several major projects in the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, including the seawater desalination plant, powered entirely by wind energy, and the Dakhla Atlantique port, designed to establish the region as a leading regional hub linking Morocco to African depths.
Lecourtier held talks with wali of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, governor of the Oued Eddahab province Ali Khalil, president of the regional council El Khattat Yanja and president of the Dakhla communal council Erragheb Hormatallah.