According to a report drawn up by the Regional Investment Centre of Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra during the first half of 2012, 22 files were satisfied during the meetings of the Regional Investment Commission, with a total investment amount of 464.44 million DH. These investments would generate the creation of 480 jobs. The distribution of these investments, according to the sector of activity, shows the dominance of the Building and Public Works sector with 32%, followed by tourism with 22% and the agri-food industry with 18%. This semester saw the creation of 131 units, including 60 legal entities and 71 natural persons.

The socio-economic promotion and development of the region have become one of the main missions of this centre, the report highlights, adding: "The CRI has worked in partnership with local actors for the accompaniment and supervision of cooperatives, associations, and young project leaders. Thus, and with the aim of fighting against local unemployment, the centre is piloting the training and insertion programme for young people in the region in the artisanal fishing sector, which concerns the granting of 250 fishing boats; the beneficiaries of this programme will benefit from a fishing licence and a boat equipped with fishing gear. And since June 2011, five groups of 25 young people have started theoretical and practical training at the Technological Institute of Maritime Fishing in Laâyoune. The CRI accompanies young people in the creation of their future businesses and cooperatives for the supply and marketing of fishing products".

This report recommends the reopening of a maritime line between the Canary archipelago and the various port cities of the region in order to ensure the development of Spanish investment, as well as the need for the presence of an economic advisor at the level of the consulate general in Las Palmas.

As a reminder, this region is full of assets to be exploited, notably in the maritime fishing sector, which represents a catalyst for economic and social development, given the fishery wealth that the coasts of the region abound with.