The conference, held on Wednesday to mark the 49th anniversary of the glorious Green March under the theme “Morocco's Southern Provinces: Potential and Investment Opportunities”, was attended by the Moroccan Consul General in Lyon, Fatima Baroudi, and a number of prominent figures from France and the Moroccan diaspora, and provided an opportunity to highlight the major achievements accomplished under the Sovereign's leadership at national level, particularly in the Moroccan Sahara.

The various speakers took the opportunity to highlight the wide-ranging development projects launched in the Kingdom, driven by the Sovereign's far-sighted vision, which has set in motion a sustained and renewed dynamic of development, progress and prosperity in the southern provinces.

Thanks to this Vision, they stressed, the southern provinces have become a hub of development and prosperity, and a preferred destination for major structuring and investment projects, making them a hub for the African continent and a link between Europe and Africa.

The various French economic operators and members of the diaspora in attendance followed the conference presentations with great interest, while expressing their willingness to support the Kingdom in its development and progress efforts, particularly in its southern provinces.

Henri Louis Vedie, Professor Emeritus at HEC-Paris, focused his speech on the development efforts of these provinces, from the organization of the Green March by the late HM King Hassan II to the present day, emphasizing the New Development Model initiated by HM King Mohammed VI.

As a connoisseur of the Moroccan economy, Mr. Vedie highlighted the reform projects that have made the region a pole of attraction and competitiveness in the agricultural and maritime sectors, not to mention its enormous tourism potential.

For his part, management consultant Tariq Essaid presented the Investment Charter's provisions for creating investment support mechanisms, improving the business environment and promoting unified, decentralized governance.

Speaking on behalf of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Regional Investment Center (CRI), Nabil Ameziane reviewed the practicalities of investing in the Kingdom's southern provinces, particularly through the introduction of one-stop-shops, such as the one set up in Dakhla to provide investors with better support.

The audience then watched two documentaries, the first recounting the highlights of the glorious Green March, the second giving an opportunity to discover and appreciate the wealth and various investment opportunities offered by the Dakhla region.

Subsequently, economic operators who have chosen to invest in the southern provinces shared their success stories in the region, which benefits from a favorable business environment.

News and events on Western Sahara issue/ CORCAS