Latest news with #FomentdelTreball
Maroc
2 days ago
- Business
- Maroc
Morocco, Spain Sign MoUs For Four Catalan Projects of 500 Million MAD Investment
Four memorandums of understanding were signed on Wednesday in Rabat to implement investment projects totaling 500 million Moroccan dirhams (MAD), spearheaded by Catalan companies. Concluded during a meeting between Morocco's Minister Delegate for Investment, Convergence, and Policy Evaluation, Karim Zidane, and a large delegation of Catalan companies led by Josep Sánchez Llibre, President of Foment del Treball—the main employers' confederation of Catalonia—these agreements pertain to projects expected to create over 700 direct jobs in the cities of Tangier, Tetouan, and Kenitra. These projects span various sectors, including the automotive industry, waste recovery, packaging, and construction materials, reflecting Morocco's ability to turn exchanges into concrete, job-creating initiatives for its youth. As part of efforts to strengthen Moroccan-Spanish economic relations, the meeting provided an opportunity for Zidane to highlight Morocco's exceptional investment appeal and to emphasize the Kingdom's ambition, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to become a competitive and sustainable regional hub. The commitment of the Catalan companies, he noted, confirms the relevance of this trajectory, adding that the four projects reflect the willingness of these companies to contribute to Morocco's industrial development. According to him, these investments are the result of an increasingly attractive business climate, made possible by reforms undertaken by Morocco (including simplification of procedures, digitalization, and the strengthening of regional investment centers). For his part, Foment del Treball President Josep Sánchez Llibre expressed his satisfaction with the warm welcome extended to the Catalan business delegation, which came to explore investment opportunities in such a strategically important country as the Kingdom of Morocco. He highlighted the determination of these companies to strengthen their presence in Morocco, noting that these investment projects mark the beginning of a lasting and structured commitment to mutually beneficial economic development. "Catalan investments will continue to flow into Morocco. I can already announce that within a year, we will return with a new delegation of around twenty Catalan companies to explore further investment opportunities," he said. Furthermore, the Spanish Ambassador to Rabat, Enrique Ojeda Vila, welcomed the mission of the delegation, which contributes to consolidating the strategic partnership between the two countries. In addition to their geographical proximity, Spain and Morocco are each other's main economic and trade partners, Ojeda Vila noted. MAP:29 mai 2025
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Signs $50 Million Investment Deal with Catalan Companies
Rabat — The Moroccan government signed four major investment agreements with Catalan companies on Wednesday, securing a total investment of MAD 500 million ($50 million) that will create over 700 direct jobs. The projects will launch in three key Moroccan cities: Tangier, Tetouan, and Kenitra. This deal marks a significant step forward in strengthening economic ties between Morocco and Spain. High-Level signing ceremony Karim Zidane, Morocco's Deputy Minister for Investment, hosted the signing ceremony in Rabat. Josep Sánchez Llibre, president of Foment del Treball, Catalonia's main business organization, led the Catalan delegation. The investments target four strategic sectors, including automotive manufacturing, waste recovery, industrial packaging, and construction materials. These areas reflect Morocco's growing appeal as an investment destination and its ability to turn economic partnerships into job-creating projects. Morocco positions itself as a regional hub Zidane noted that these projects align with King Mohammed VI's vision to establish Morocco as a competitive industrial and economic hub in Africa and the Mediterranean region. 'We have implemented structural reforms that make investing easier,' Zidane explained, noting three key improvements, namely digital procedures, simplified administration, and stronger Regional Investment Centers (CRIs). Catalonia plans bigger future investment Sánchez Llibre commended the warm reception his delegation received and announced ambitious expansion plans. 'These first projects are just the beginning of a larger, long-term presence in Morocco,' he said. 'We will return within a year with a new delegation of about twenty Catalan companies,' Sanchez Llibre added. Spain-Morocco strengthened economic partnership Spanish Ambassador to Rabat Enrique Ojeda Vila attended the ceremony and celebrated the initiative. He reminded attendees that Morocco and Spain are each other's top economic partners, with strong geographic, historical, and strategic connections. Meanwhile, Adil Rais, co-president of the Morocco-Spain Economic Council (CEMAES), said the agreements reflect both countries' commitment to enhancing a solid investment axis, intending to make Spain Morocco's largest foreign investor. Building on previous success This signing ceremony is a continuation of the bilateral economic promotion work under the 'Morocco Now' initiative. Previous efforts include roadshows in Barcelona in January 2024 and Madrid in April 2025, as well as the first Catalan delegation visit in June 2024. The new investments demonstrate Morocco's success in attracting international partners and transforming diplomatic relationships into concrete economic opportunities that benefit both countries' workers and businesses. Tags: economyInvestment dealMorocco spain
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Catalonian Economic Delegation Kicks Off Three-Day Mission to Morocco
Doha – A delegation of Catalonian business leaders and officials begins a three-day economic mission to Morocco today. The visit, running from May 27 to 29, aims to strengthen economic and commercial relations between the northeastern Spanish region and the North African country. The mission is organized by the Catalonian Employers' Confederation, known locally as Foment del Treball (FDT), in partnership with the Morocco-Spain Economic Council (CEMAES). About thirty entrepreneurs representing strategic sectors with high cooperation potential are participating in the delegation. Led by Josep Sánchez Llibre, president of FDT, the delegation will visit Tangier, Rabat, and Casablanca. The group includes businesses specializing in international logistics, customs management, engineering, construction, sustainable chemistry, digital solutions (SaaS), and industrial production of technical materials. During their stay, the Spanish delegation will hold meetings with Moroccan institutions including the Regional Investment Center of Tangier, the Ministry of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies, and Casablanca Finance City. The visit agenda includes tours of strategic industrial sites such as Tangier Automotive City and the Nouaceur Technopole. Networking opportunities are also planned with key officials, including Ryad Mezzour, Morocco's Minister of Industry and Commerce, Omar Moro, president of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, and Enrique Ojeda Vila, Spain's Ambassador to Morocco. This mission is part of FDT's international projection strategy, which aims to foster sustainable economic partnerships. The initiative seeks to bring Moroccan and Catalonian productive ecosystems closer together while encouraging interregional dialogue between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Morocco, Spain's top trading partner in Africa The visit coincides with heightened trade and investment flows across the Strait of Gibraltar—momentum that is set to grow further as both countries, alongside Portugal, prepare to co-host the 2030 World Cup. Spain has been Morocco's top trading partner for over a decade, with bilateral trade reaching a historic record of over €22.5 billion in 2024. Spanish exports to Morocco reached €10.843 billion in 2024, showing a 68% increase. Imports from Morocco were valued at €8.220 billion, growing by 9.1% during the same period. Approximately 61% of Spanish exports to Africa go to Morocco. Morocco ranks as Spain's third-largest trading partner outside the European Union, behind only the United States and the United Kingdom. Since 2014, Spain has been both Morocco's primary customer and supplier, with 18-20% of Morocco's foreign trade conducted with Spain. Spanish investment in Morocco exceeded €250 million in both 2022 and 2023. Spanish companies invest primarily in Morocco's automotive industry, textiles, agribusiness, and tourism sectors, while Moroccan investments in Spain reached nearly €40 million by late September 2024. Read also: Spain Commits €340 Million to Casablanca Desalination Plant
