Morocco reactivates the role of Chambers of Commerce to promote investment at the regional level

The meeting organised in Rabat by the head of the Moroccan government, Aziz Akhannouch, with the presidents of the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Services (CCIS), in the presence of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Taoufik Moucharaf, examined ways for these organisations to strengthen their commitment to the process of economic and social development of the country, based on the specificity of one of its regions.

In order to boost investment at the regional level by strengthening the capacity of the Chambers of Commerce as a lever for economic development and one of the key players in the economic progress of the regions, the meeting highlighted the prospects for improving the legal and regulatory framework of the regional CCIS.

In his statement to the press, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Taoufik Moucharaf, said that "this meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the means to enable the CCIS to consolidate their role in supporting the major strategic projects undertaken by Morocco, under the enlightened leadership of King Mohammed VI".

"The meeting also emphasised the importance of supporting and accompanying the CCIS in order to empower them and guarantee them the conditions that will enable them to respond optimally to the expectations of their users," he stressed.

For his part, the President of the Federation of Moroccan Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Services (FCMCIS), Lhoucine Alioui, said that "the meeting discussed a number of issues relating to the prerogatives of the CCIS and their representation at the international level".

Highlighting the crucial role of the Chambers of Commerce in investment promotion, especially in the context of the National Investment Pact, Alioui called for the CCIS to be given a broader mission so that they can play an effective role in the service of their members.

In the framework of the new industrial strategy and the prospects for the development of the sector in the different regions of the country, the Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, held on Friday in Marrakech a consultation meeting with the regional actors of Marrakech-Safi in the presence of the wali governor of the prefecture of Marrakech, Farid Chourak, along with the various elected representatives and economic operators in the region.

This meeting is part of a national tour during which the Ministry's teams, under the chairmanship of Mezzour, will travel to the twelve regions of Morocco to meet with local and regional stakeholders, in order to gather concrete and practical proposals that can enrich the content of the industrial strategy being developed.

On this occasion, Mezzour indicated that, "in accordance with the real orientations, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is working on the creation of a new industrial strategy, in consultation with public and private sector partners, to ensure a sustainable and balanced development of all industrial sectors and all regions of the Kingdom, while responding to the aspirations of citizens, businesses and all international partners".

The minister also stressed "the need to motivate human resources, promote research, development and innovation, and improve competitiveness and sustainable development", adding that "this new industrial strategy will be implemented according to the vision of each region within the framework of a concerted approach with the various regional actors".

At this meeting, Mezzour highlighted the significant potential that characterises the Marrakech-Safi region, which makes it a regional, national and global industrial hub in several industries.

For his part, the region's wali, Farid Chourak, stressed that "this meeting is an opportunity for consultation and dialogue between all stakeholders, with a view to developing effective recommendations that represent the region's contribution to the development of this new industrial strategy".

In this respect, Chourak pointed out that "the region has natural assets, important infrastructures, a diversified investment offer and major structured projects, which make it an important pillar of Morocco's socio-economic development.

By encouraging public and private investment and relying on the Chambers of Commerce of the twelve regions to improve the business climate and attract foreign investment in each region, according to its specificities, Morocco continues to strengthen its position as a competitive industrial centre at regional and international level, thanks to the enlightened vision of King Mohammed VI and harmonious and convergent industrial strategies.