Regional Economic Forum
Saoudi El Amalki
The Kingdom's premier seaside resort was very recently the stage for the regional economic forum, held by the Ecomedia group, in which a host of speakers took part, notably the Wali of the Souss Massa region, the president of the regional council, the Consul General of Spain in Agadir, and many other administrative officials and elected representatives.
This significant influx dedicated to investment and economic attractiveness reflects, in fact, the prominent place that the Souss Massa region occupies on the national stage. At first glance, the regional leader submitted to the large audience an important introductory speech during which he reviewed the immense economic potential that the region abounds with, while paying a vibrant tribute to the various actors of this region which holds considerable potential. It is no coincidence that the Sovereign had dedicated a centrality to it, thus allowing it to radiate and shine in all directions.
This workshop, which now brings together all these people, serves as a platform for reflection to highlight all this potential in more ways than one, but also the obstacles that undermine the emergence of all these economic levers, stresses the top regional official, in particular the water deficit.
In this regard, he appreciates the effort made by the State but also the support of the region to be able to ensure the supply of drinking water and to sustain and secure the supply of agricultural areas with this vital commodity, where the Souss Massa region is first in terms of production and export of many agricultural sectors. Tourism, he continues, forming a major factor of the economic triptych, has been experiencing growth in recent times, marked by statistics in terms of arrivals and overnight stays.
Since the launch of the Industrial Acceleration Plan (PAI), the region has resolutely turned towards the industrial aspect, alongside the classic trilogy of agriculture, tourism, and fishing. In this sense, industrial parks have been launched everywhere across the provinces, sanctioned by the quantification of creation and diversification of quality, to overcome the constraints that threaten the region, mainly the water deficit from 7 years of drought. The Chtouka desalination plant has contributed potentially to providing greater Agadir with drinking and irrigation water, thanks to this Royal anticipation, covering more than 80% of the needs.
In addition, he continues, a larger station is planned between Tiznit and Chtouka Aït Baha of 350 million m3, even more important than that of Casablanca which will be 300 million m3, with 100 million m3 intended for drinking water and especially 250 million m3 for irrigation for perimeters more specifically in Tiznit, which is booming in agricultural activity, notably 10,000 hectares, and in the province of Taroudant, notably in El Guerdane, renowned for citrus farming. The new momentum will be further concretised by all this scale, starting from 2027, the date of the completion of the new station, with all that it generates in terms of labour drainage and job positions, in addition to logistics in Lakliâ and offshoring...
Faced with this dazzling enthusiasm, the regional leader wonders why it is that the region only ranks 8th on a national scale, as revealed by the Minister of Foreign Trade during his recent visit to Agadir. There is reason to be intrigued by this delay despite all these possibilities.
It goes without saying that it is possible to unleash economic energies, while exploiting the most of the logistics platform and especially the dry port whose implementation in the free zone of about 100 hectares could give more aptitude to the port of Agadir, known for the diversity of activity and which will be an extension of this dry port whose ratification by the State has just been carried out. Likewise, the creation of the Agadir-Dakar and Agadir-Cadiz maritime lines is likely to revive this shock potential that is being woven in the region. He did not fail, in closing his speech, to point out the momentum that will be boosted by the two continental football events in 2025 and the World Cup in 2030, of which Agadir will be the host.
The article The paradoxical rank of Souss Massa! appeared first on ALBAYANE.
