Morocco-Spain, a key bilateral relationship for tackling new strategic, economic and political challenges
Representatives of the Moroccan and Spanish governments hold a business meeting at the CEOE headquarters on the eve of the 13th High-Level Meeting
- Akhannouch: close bilateral relations
- Óscar Puente: the potential of the transport sector
- Opening session
- Business organisations
- Water, energy and mobility
- Latin America and Africa
The Madrid headquarters of the CEOE was the venue for the Spain-Morocco Business Meeting, which served as a prelude to the 13th High-Level Meeting held by the Spanish and Moroccan governments on 4 December.
Akhannouch: close bilateral relations
The meeting was attended by the head of the Moroccan government, Aziz Akhannouch, who said during the closing ceremony that "we have the centuries-old hope of seeing relations between the two countries, Spain and Morocco, flourish at a time of great mutual understanding. The uninterrupted dialogue between the two countries is marked by a reciprocal cultural influence that has left deep traces on both sides of the Strait and permeates our daily lives.‘
Akhannouch praised Spain's support for Morocco's autonomy plan for the Sahara as a turning point in these relations, ’which have further strengthened an already very solid partnership. Spain and Morocco are not only neighbours: we are strategic partners who, in 2024, exchanged goods worth more than €20 billion. These figures represent lorries crossing ports, companies operating from many Spanish cities, logistics, industrial elements, etc.
The head of government pointed out that "the current international context, with its climatic and strategic challenges, requires the leadership of countries such as Morocco in a wide range of sectors, with administrative efficiency, digitalisation and a very attractive framework for domestic and foreign investors, with support mechanisms for exports. Even the smallest Spanish SMEs can benefit from tax exemptions, because we not only want to attract large companies, but also open the door to the Spanish productive fabric, within the framework of a mutually beneficial partnership."
Akhannouch ended his speech by referring to the 2030 World Cup, jointly organised by Morocco, Spain and Portugal, ‘which is much more than a sporting event: it is a catalyst for investment in infrastructure, image, security and other aspects’.
Óscar Puente: the potential of the transport sector
On behalf of the Spanish Government, the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, accompanied the Moroccan Head of Government at the closing ceremony, highlighting that this meeting was part of the 13th Spain-Morocco High Level Meeting: "Holding 13 meetings clearly demonstrates the constant nature of our relationship. We need to interact, even though our interests sometimes coincide and sometimes do not, as is logical between neighbours. But building a wall across the Strait is both foolish and irresponsible; it fails to recognise the economic and cultural importance of our relations, which have taken on a strategic dimension. Our ties are at their best in decades."
With regard to his own sector, the minister stated that ‘transport is where there is the greatest potential for development, as my Moroccan counterpart, Minister Nizar Baraka, also points out. This potential must go beyond mere bilateral relations: we must work hand in hand with companies on the major plans and projects that exist in the African region.’
In this regard, Minister Puente congratulated Morocco on the regional infrastructure plan it is developing, in which numerous Spanish companies are involved in projects such as the expansion of the high-speed rail network and Rabat airport. "Spain has one of the most extensive and efficient high-speed networks in the world, with the lowest price per kilometre. This is an asset that we want to make available to Morocco. The AVE high-speed rail network connects the country and contributes to the development of the economy," he said.
Puente concluded his speech by pointing out the distinctive feature of Spain's relationship with Morocco: ‘We offer equal treatment, something that sets us apart from other partners. We are not so different, but rather the opposite; we recognise each other as equals in order to build a solid commercial relationship on a level playing field.’
Opening session
The opening session featured Morocco's Minister of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies, Karim Zidane, and Spain's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas.
The Moroccan Minister of Investment highlighted the role played by the monarchs of the two countries, Mohammed VI and Felipe VI, in building unprecedented, deep bilateral relations, overcoming temporary situations to achieve predictability and mutual trust: ‘In an international context marked by pressures, instability and the realignment of alliances, our partnership has proven its resilience. Economic relations between the two countries have been reaffirmed in an environment of uncertainty, with unprecedented levels of integration.’
Zidane highlighted that Spain is Morocco's leading economic partner and one of its main industrial partners, just as Morocco is a leading economic partner for Spain. "It is no longer just the geographical or structural proximity between the two countries: it is that their trajectories are converging. Morocco's transformation towards a model of productive investment and industrial competitiveness requires a partnership for technological co-production. Together, we have the capacity to build a space of shared prosperity, to overcome the challenges of today," he said.
For his part, Spanish Minister of Agriculture Luis Planas recalled that he has been present at at least half of the High-Level Meetings held with Morocco, first as Spain's ambassador and now as minister: "I know how close and fruitful the relations between the business organisations and chambers of commerce of both countries are, in the context of the relationship between the two kingdoms. At a time of challenges such as climate change and trade disruptions, we have the opportunity to share experiences, share technical knowledge and grow relations in quantity and quality, because it strengthens us both."
Planas also recalled that Spain was key to the European Union reaching an interesting and far-reaching agreement with Morocco in 2000, which constitutes a political framework for dialogue and trade openness, and announced the signing, during the RAN, of two protocols on maritime and fisheries cooperation, ‘which is extremely important for eradicating illegal and unregulated fishing in this part of the Mediterranean, which is harmful to both countries.’
Business organisations
This marked the end of a day that had begun in the early afternoon with a welcome from the host, CEOE President Antonio Garamendi. The representative of Spanish business leaders outlined "the challenges that we at the CEOE see as business opportunities in key sectors such as water management, energy and mobility, and also in regions with potential such as Africa and Latin America, where many companies are already present. All the factors for success are in place: trade figures between the two countries should increase. Spain is the gateway to Europe and the bridge to Latin America, just as Morocco is for Africa; two regions with a promising future.‘
His counterpart, Chakib Alj, president of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), pointed out the need to ’explore ways to go further in sectors that present clear opportunities, such as renewable energies; green hydrogen; water and climate change management, which require innovative solutions; the automotive industry; the textile sector; and recycling and the circular economy.
For his part, the president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, José Luis Bonet, said that "in a complex and uncertain international context, the Spanish-Moroccan agenda is full of opportunities that we can take advantage of, hand in hand with public-private collaboration. There is enormous potential to increase collaboration in water, mobility, and to increase our presence in Latin America. I reiterate the Chamber's commitment to accompanying companies, especially SMEs, on this journey.‘
Amparo López Senovilla, Secretary of State for Trade, recognised the need for ’greater integration of value chains to better coordinate supply points and achieve sustainable growth. This relationship goes beyond the bilateral: Spain is a bridge between Europe and Latin America, and Morocco is a key platform for the rest of the African continent. We must continue working to maintain Morocco's attractiveness as an investment destination, supporting each other at the institutional level to improve our economic relations.
Water, energy and mobility
This was followed by a round table discussion, moderated by the chair of the CEOE's International Relations Committee, Marta Blanco, with the participation of the president of SEOPAN and vice-president of the CEOE, Julián Núñez; the Vice-President of the Moroccan Energy Federation, Ahmed Nakkouch; and the Director General of the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE), Ali Seddiki.
The head of AMDIE recalled the assistance provided by Morocco to Spain during the blackout as an example of cross-border collaboration in the field of energy, and referred to the important desalination projects and infrastructure being developed until 2030 with the collaboration of Spanish companies. "In sectors such as the automotive industry, Morocco is experiencing one of the highest growth rates. We need to take advantage of the knowledge of Spanish companies to develop new electric mobility, and we must continue to work on industrial synergies between the two countries," he concluded.
Nakkouch pointed to the fruitful collaboration in the field of energy, with examples such as the 400 MW electrical interconnection between the two countries, which is extendable and used for the commercial sector. ‘The relationship between companies in both countries in the field of renewable energy has changed the energy landscape,’ he said.
Julián Núñez explained that Spain is a world leader in hydraulic engineering, the leader in Europe and fourth in the world in desalination, and the world leader in wastewater reuse. ‘Morocco is developing projects worth €650 million, and the value of Spanish companies is key to increasing collaboration. Spain has all the attributes to intensify collaboration. The world has more and more investment opportunities, so we must take care of legal security to make countries like Morocco more attractive than others,’ he said.
Latin America and Africa
The session closed with another dialogue, this time moderated by Adil Rais, co-chair of the Morocco-Spain Economic Council, between the permanent secretary of the Ibero-American Business Council (CEIB), Narciso Casado, and the general vice-president of the CGEM and CEO of Cover Edge, Mehdi Tazi.
The dialogue highlighted the important role played by Spain as a transmission belt between the African continent and Latin America, due to its position as a bridge between both continents and Europe.