The hour of Dakhla
You only have to travel the hundreds of kilometres to see the great investment opportunities because almost everything has yet to be done.
Dakhla-Golden River is considered by Morocco as one of its southern regions, along with Guelmim-Rio Noun and El Aaiún-Saguía el-Hamra, and now also by the United States, which has recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. It now presents itself as an area with multiple development and investment opportunities with an ambitious policy of attracting ideas and funding to launch its economic and social growth and become what some Moroccan businessmen refer to as "the Mecca of investment". In recent weeks, there have been significant developments for the region as a whole.
The opening of consulates of important countries such as the United States and the United Arab Emirates have led to agreements for large investments. The situation in the area is calm and security is guaranteed by the control of the Moroccan army, protected by the wall built years ago.
In all sectors of the region, the effect of the Polisario Front's attempts to carry out some kind of attack to justify its decision to consider the ceasefire broken and resume the dynamics of a war that no one wants and that its troops do not seem capable of maintaining. What is clear is the determination of most of the actors involved to put an end to the Sahara conflict, which has been going on for more than 40 years and which keeps more than 160,000 people living in the Tindouf camps in very precarious conditions.
Moroccan diplomacy is carrying out an extensive operation to encourage the key countries in the conflict to change their position within the United Nations so that a favourable and lasting solution can be reached for all, always under the premise of broad autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. Spain is one of those countries with a special historical relationship with its former colony for many years and must decide whether to remain in what the Moroccans call the comfort zone of neutrality in the United Nations or take a step forward to contribute to a solution at last being reached. The conditions are in place, but it is true that Spain must maintain the balance of its relations with the other contender, Algeria, and its dependence on its gas, which accounts for 55% of the total supply. In Dakhla, many Sahrawis in the street and the authorities are calling on Spain to get involved in the new dynamic and take advantage of the investment opportunities that are developing in the region.
A solution to the Sahara problem would enhance the option of opening up more opportunities to the world to participate in the economic and social development of the whole area in sectors such as tourism, renewable energy, fisheries, agriculture and logistics.
The United States has already committed $3 billion in investment, and other countries are already positioning themselves. A region that has been able to contain the coronavirus to near-optimal levels and, when it has experienced an increase in infections, has decided to offer free PCR testing at the airport to those arriving in the city. Those who test positive are isolated to prevent the spread of the disease.
The people of Dakhla are warmly hospitable and aware that their problems can be solved with the arrival of national and foreign investment to create more and better jobs through sustainable development of infrastructure, tourism, renewable energy and agri-food.