APA-Nouakchott (Mauritania) The third Mauritanian-Moroccan Economic Forum was held on 21 and 22 February at the headquarters of the Diplomatic Academy in Nouakchott, with the presidents of employers’ organisations and 300 business leaders from the two countries in attendance.
The event provided an opportunity to define co-investment projects, particularly in key sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, agri-food, energy and infrastructure. Morocco is the leading African investor in
Mauritania.
Initiated jointly by the ‘Union Nationale du Patronat Mauritanien’ (Mauritanian Employers’ Union, UNPM) and the ‘Confederation Generale des Entreprises du Maroc’ (CGEM), the forum brought together several ambassadors accredited in both countries, as well as the presidents of the two employers’ organisations, in addition to some 300 Mauritanian and Moroccan businessmen.
The main objective of this third forum is to intensify the partnership between the two neighbouring nations. To achieve this goal, the CGEM and the UNPM have set up a task force to support and monitor investment projects.
According to Hamid Chabar, Morocco’s ambassador to Mauritania, trade between the two countries reached 300 million dollars at the end of 2022, an increase of 58 percent on the previous year. However, fruit and vegetables account for only 23 percent of this trade.
For his part, Chakib Alj, President of the CGEM, considers that this forum marks a decisive stage after the first two editions, which have enabled investment opportunities to be identified. He expects the next forum to be held in two years’ time.
Abdelaziz Taariji, Chairman of the Morocco-Mauritania Business Forum, echoed this view, saying that he and his Mauritanian partners were looking into the possibility of developing cooperation in the agricultural sector.
Once the opportunities for cooperation have been identified, Mauritanian and Moroccan businessmen will have to move on to the next stage, that of implementing the projects.
HA/fss/abj/APA