At the time of the opening of the 13th edition of this Moroccan agricultural gathering, local authorities and the organizers of SIAM are working hard to optimize the socio-economic benefits of this major agricultural event, whether in terms of job creation, stimulating investment, or promoting tourism in the Ismaili capital.
It is at the level of the city's hotel units that the impact of SIAM is most visible. Indeed, all the hotels in the area, all categories combined, are fully booked as the opening of the Exhibition approaches. Participants and visitors from elsewhere take care to book their hotels months in advance. And since the city's bed capacity is not able to absorb the strong demand during the Exhibition, Meknassis are transforming their homes into guest houses for the occasion. Beyond the hundreds of direct jobs generated by this event, SIAM has become the locomotive of a true local economy, from which inhabitants, merchants, hoteliers, and restaurateurs benefit, whether they are in Meknès, Fès, El Hajeb, or Ifrane.According to the organizers, the evolution of the participation of actors in the social economy is also more than remarkable. While the first edition only recorded 25 cooperatives, SIAM-2018 will see the participation of a record number of 393 units, knowing that 750 requests were made this year. In addition to the great diversity of products, the initiators of SIAM note a clear improvement regarding the quality of products and packaging, which has had an impact on marketing. More than 65% of the turnover is achieved during SIAM, it is specified. The 13th edition of SIAM, which is held until April 28, is placed under the theme "Logistics and agricultural markets". Deployed over an area of 180,000 m², including 87,000 covered, this Exhibition is expected to host more than 1,400 exhibitors from 67 countries and more than 850,000 visitors. SIAM, which is among the largest events in Africa dedicated to agriculture and operators in the agricultural sector, is organized around 9 poles, namely the "Regions Pole", the "Sponsors and Institutional Pole", the "International Pole", the "Agro-supply Pole", the "Nature and Life Pole", the "Products Pole", the "Local Products Pole", the "Livestock Pole", and the "Machinery Pole". The Netherlands is the guest of honour for this edition. Considered the "gateway to Europe", this country benefits from a first-class logistics network and represents one of the central hubs of European and global trade for agricultural products. The Dutch model constitutes an interesting benchmark in relation to the theme of this edition. Said Youssi (MAP)
