The National Union of Mauritanian Employers (UNPM) and the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) jointly organized the third edition of the Mauritania-Morocco Economic Forum. Sectors of bilateral cooperation were identified, and a working group was established to support the on-site realization of investment projects.

The event took place in Nouakchott on February 21 and 22, bringing together more than 300 Moroccan and Mauritanian entrepreneurs from various sectors such as agriculture, fishing, agri-food, energy, and infrastructure.

With the presence of the ambassadors of Morocco in Nouakchott and Mauritania in Rabat, the presidents of CGEM and UNPM, as well as the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Mauritania, the forum represented an opportunity to strengthen economic relations between the two countries. Morocco, being the top African investor in Mauritania, aims to consolidate its position by promoting sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships, with the ambition to contribute jointly to the construction of integrated African value chains and make the most of the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The event reflected the willingness of the Moroccan and Mauritanian private sectors to create joint projects, capitalizing on economic complementarities and mutual trust between both parties. The geographical proximity and trade, reaching nearly 300 million dollars in 2022 with a 58% increase since 2020, were also highlighted. Chakib ALJ emphasized the need to turn existing opportunities into concrete projects, especially in the sectors of agriculture, fishing, food processing, renewable energy, infrastructure, and tourism.

Chakib ALJ, President of the CGEM, emphasized the strategic importance of Mauritania as a market with significant potential for Moroccan businesses. He affirmed the willingness of the Moroccan private sector to strengthen economic ties with Mauritania and turn this partnership into a model of regional and continental cooperation. The business leader noted that "all conditions are in place to achieve this common goal" and invited participants from both countries to take action and turn existing opportunities into concrete projects, especially in the sectors of agriculture, fishing, food processing, renewable energy, infrastructure, and tourism, whose potentials do not require demonstration.

Zine El Abidine Ould Cheikh Ahmed, President of the UNPM, encouraged economic operators to seize the opportunities offered and promote economic partnership, insisting on the common capacity to face challenges for the socio-economic development of both countries.

Within the framework of the Forum, a Task Force was created by CGEM and UNPM to support the on-site realization of investment projects and ensure their follow-up. This initiative aims to facilitate investment and bilateral trade processes, thus strengthening the ties between the Moroccan and Mauritanian business communities. The Task Force is committed to addressing potential challenges in collaboration with public authorities to ensure the success of joint investment projects.

Article source: lobservateur