Organised by the Diplomatic Foundation, this first-of-its-kind visit provided an opportunity for diplomats to be briefed on the economic and social projects currently being carried out in a region that is booming.
During a working meeting, Ms Edaoui emphasised that this visit by ambassadors and diplomats was the perfect reflection of the culture of openness advocated by the Kingdom of Morocco at both national and regional levels. Throughout its history, she noted, the Kingdom has been a space for dialogue between cultures and has served as a link between the African continent and the rest of the world. "The Moroccan exception," she added, "which is manifested essentially by the stability the country enjoys thanks to the far-sighted policy of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, has allowed Morocco to be an attractive and safe space for investment.
At the end of her speech, the Wali presented the diplomatic delegation with the human potential and the economic, natural, agricultural and cultural resources that the Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen region possesses. These assets serve as an incentive for both national and foreign investment.
In a statement to the press, Dwight L. Bush, the United States Ambassador to Morocco, expressed his joy at having been invited alongside other ambassadors by the Wali to visit a region in full expansion. He also indicated that the city of Kénitra and its region, which are currently growing rapidly, reflect the economic dynamism of the Kingdom, particularly in terms of investment. The American diplomat also praised the efforts undertaken by the Ibn Tofail University of Kénitra to provide local and regional companies with competent young professionals.
One of the highlights of this event was the visit made by Ms El Adaoui and the diplomatic delegation to the Integrated Industrial Platform (P2I) of Kénitra. The diplomats were able to learn on-site about the economic and social impact of this major project at the regional and even national level. As a reminder, this site aims to create approximately 20,000 direct jobs and 25,000 indirect jobs by 2018. Currently, it provides 10,000 jobs.
It should be noted that this new-generation industrial platform, which offers investors several incentive advantages, is the result of a partnership between the group consisting of the company Medz and the company Edonia World, and the State through the Ministries of the Interior, Economy and Finance, Equipment and Transport, Trade, Industry and New Technologies, Employment and Vocational Training, as well as the Wilaya of the Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen region and the Regional Investment Centre (CRI) of Kénitra. The ambassadors and diplomats also visited one of the most dynamic cooperatives in the Gharb-Chrarda-Beni-Hssen region. This is the APIA cooperative for the production, sale and processing of local products. This cooperative, which is part of a sustainable development process, is distinguished by innovation and the search for new product ranges.
The diplomatic delegation also visited "Dar Lakbira", a reception and support centre for street children, and the Regional Centre for Agricultural Research in Kénitra. At the end of their visits, several ambassadors and diplomats praised the efforts deployed at the regional level, particularly by the Wali.
