Dakhla-Market, la plataforma estadounidense para apoyar el comercio local en la región
The city of Dakhla is beginning to develop and become a major focus of trade in Morocco. A delegation from the US State Department visited the region and saw the opportunity to boost it economically. As a result, they have created an online trading platform called "Dakhla Market".
is a website where the city's artisans and entrepreneurs will be able to showcase their products and services online. Above all, it will seek to promote local works of art. It will also provide these local traders with the possibility of contacting vendors, suppliers and entrepreneurs in specific sectors.
"The Dakhla-Market platform is a great new asset, allowing artisans to showcase and sell their products and services online," said Mounir Houari, director of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Regional Investment Centre (RIC).
The US delegation, in charge of the process of setting up the platform, included members of the US Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). Prominent among them were Ariel Vaagen, deputy director of the US State Department's Office of International Media Engagement, and Colin O'Connor, a member of the organisation.
"We are delighted to partner with the RIC and local authorities to support artisans and young entrepreneurs. This will contribute to regional economic growth and create more opportunities for young people," said Vaagen.
Daklha-Market originates from the DakhlaConnect.com website. This is an initiative that was launched in January 2021 and provides an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to connect with interesting potential business partners to promote the region. In this way, foreign investment, one of the strengths of the Moroccan economy, is boosted.
"This is a great addition to the already tremendous success of the DakhlaConnect.com digital platform, which continues to promote the economic and investment potential of the Dakhla region," Houari continued.
During their visit to Dakhla, the delegation saw with their own eyes how many young people are unemployed. During the trip, they were able to attend several workshops where unemployed young people in the city acquire soft skills to enhance their chances of finding a job. These meetings are made possible by the "Skills for Success" programme, an Amideast initiative that receives a large grant of $1.35 million from MEPI and provides young people with beneficial tools for their work experience.
"Skills for Success" is a 220-hour programme. Its main objective is to broaden and impart the necessary knowledge to all young participants on career paths and employment resources. In this way, the young people are helped to develop their own skills so that they can boost their own skills and thus have a better chance of finding a job.
Thanks to the creation of this programme, more than 900 young people are benefiting from the aid and acquiring the skills required for their future job search. The initiative pays special attention to women and people with functional diversity, as these are the groups that have more difficulties when looking for a job.
"Skills for Success" has been running since February this year. Within the programme, the aim is to promote five basic areas related to personal and professional development, which are currently the most basic for finding future employment. These include learning English, acquiring computer skills, basic skills in the professional environment, getting closer to the community and the transition from studies to a work schedule and the responsibility that comes with having a job.
Dakhla in recent years has experienced very favourable growth and development for the Moroccan economy. Economic experts are already pointing out the economic potential of this region and investments are starting to appear in the area. As a result, the region has gone from nothing to having several investment projects dedicated to sectors such as renewable energy, infrastructure, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism and agriculture.
Americas Coordinator: José Antonio Sierra.