Urquiola de Palacio: "Spain is part of the global south"
The U-turn made by French President Emmanuel Macron has created a unique opportunity for Spain to be the new partner that acts as an intermediary between the economies of the global south and the West. In this geopolitical framework, Morocco's position as an essential partner, not only for Spain, but also for world powers such as the United States, appears to be one of the great keys to global economic cooperation.
Urquiola de Palacio, international president of the Spanish Bar Association, noted that "Spain is part of the global south". Africa's opportunities in Spain must begin by considering Spain as Europe's first centre of operations in Africa. Spain is Europe's bridge to Africa.
HE. Lionel Zinsou, former Prime Minister of Benin, highlighted the role of the EU as being of great importance, a fact that the public is not aware of. "Africa's first trading partner is Europe, not China as people tend to believe," he added. China is important compared to countries such as France. That is the mistake, because China should be compared to the European Union. Europe is Africa's main exporting and importing investor.
The illusions of African states are based on strengthening economic relations with Europe. In 15 years, trade with the United States has fallen by half due to the behaviour of leaders and hydrocarbon imports. The shift from oil importer to oil exporter has been a major change in the economic paradigm that linked Americans to the brown continent.
Relations with Russia have also been a new global situation, but it remains an important partner. If you want to know the reality of economic movements, you have to know that Russia is an increasingly rejected partner, although this does not mean that relations will break down. "The Russian economy has no future," he concluded.
Marta Blanco Quesada, international president of the CEOE, highlights the difficult situation of the economic framework, which, despite being positive, is increasing the impoverishment of the population. The two sectors of greatest cooperation between Spain and Africa are textiles and automobiles. In this sense, Europe takes the investment and efforts of the African population very seriously. The thinking of European diplomacy is that the direction of Africa and Europe is the same: sustainable development.
Rafael Hoyuela López, representing the international director of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, began his intervention by focusing on the importance of the multilateral development of the investment, innovation and technology agenda in two directions. First, to increase investment in African countries and to maintain investment with Morocco. One of the keys he gives is the mobilisation and awareness-raising of the civilian population.
Assia Ben Saad, expert on economic relations between Morocco and Spain and director of Amdie, corroborated with figures the magnificent relations between the two countries. Morocco has placed Africa at the centre of its concerns. The efforts of the south-south union in economic and commercial terms have achieved a great union between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. Proof of this are the more than 30 visits to African countries by King Mohammed VI. One of the country's calling cards is to present itself as Africa's gateway to Europe.
Africa's objectives are being achieved. Morocco as a country has great strategies at all levels that are giving it a privileged position in the continent, being a major investor in all the economic regions of Africa. Thanks to its human capital, the Alawi country has improved its logistical and technological capacities. An example of this is the port of Tangier-Med which connects more than 180 ports and ranks among the 20 most important ports in the world.
Rosa Cañadas, President of the Tanja Foundation, concluded the round table by reflecting on the part of the cooperation thinking that should exist between Spain and Africa with regard to the labour integration of the African population in Spain. The main motive on which she based her argument was Spain's birth rates, which are becoming a problem that African migration can not only support, but also solve.