In an article signed by Demetrio Olaciregui, the publication observes that Morocco has put in place a new development vision for the Southern provinces.

The Moroccan city of Dakhla is on its way to becoming an "unavoidable" economic hub serving the African continent, writes the Panamanian daily "La Estrella" on Monday.

In an article signed by Demetrio Olaciregui, the publication observes that Morocco has put in place a new development vision for the Southern provinces that puts Dakhla at the heart of an ambitious economic hub and plans to establish this city as a gateway between Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Citing the president of the Crans Montana Forum, Jean-Paul Carteron, the newspaper indicates that the city of Dakhla "will occupy a place of choice within the African economic hub and will become a potential first-rate partner for Panama by virtue of an exhaustive and proactive policy of complementarity".

Jean-Paul Carteron highlighted, in this regard, the project to expand the Panama Canal and the development of Dakhla's port infrastructure, which will serve as a gateway capable of connecting the Canal to the road network and the logistics services available there.

In this sense, "La Estrella" recalls that His Majesty King Mohammed VI had announced last February a major investment plan worth more than two billion dollars, intended to develop the Southern provinces through structuring projects relating in particular to drinking water, electricity, the road network, port and air transport, schools, and hospitals.

The daily cites in this context a passage from the message that His Majesty the King had addressed to the participants at the Crans Montana Forum in 2015, in which the Sovereign stressed that "our common ambition is to place Africa at the heart of major global geopolitical concerns".

"Morocco continues to work in favour of a modern, bold, enterprising, and open Africa, an Africa proud of its identity, strong in its cultural heritage, and capable of transcending outdated ideologies", affirmed His Majesty the King.

Furthermore, "La Estrella" echoes the statements of the president of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, Ynja Khattat, in which he indicated that the "new vision designed for the Southern provinces makes the city of Dakhla a continental economic hub serving stability, peace, and development in sub-Saharan Africa".

He further stressed that "our ambition is to see the city become a meeting point between West Africa and other parts of the world", noting that Morocco possesses "the keys to the development of the African continent".

The publication also estimated that, in addition to its strategic position and natural potential, the city of Dakhla is an economic, commercial, and tourist hub, endowed with a port zone that contributes to fishery wealth and where 80 companies are installed.

"La Estrella" also notes that the Crans Montana Forum, which saw the participation of 1,100 representatives from more than 130 countries and international organisations, including heads of state and government and ministers, was held for the second successive time in Dakhla, which reflects an "international recognition" of the legitimacy of Morocco's historical rights over its Southern provinces.