The Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, pleaded, Wednesday in Marrakech, for the implementation of “structuring and inclusive” development projects in all African countries.
These projects are able to strengthen African industrial, energy, food and health sovereignty, explained Mr. Mezzour in a statement to MAP, on the sidelines of the opening of the 14th edition of the USA-Africa Business Summit which is being held until July 22.
At the same time, the Minister, who stressed that Morocco is one of the main investors in Africa, recalled the Moroccan strategy of openness, materialized by free trade or commercial cooperation agreements with more than 100 countries.
According to him, holding this summit in Morocco is “objective”, since the Kingdom is the only African country to have a free trade agreement with the United States. And to note that beyond the historical relationship, Morocco is also the first country in the world to have recognized the independence of the United States.
This 14th edition of the said summit is also being held in Morocco because the Kingdom is an African country which works, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, with a view to co-development and the creation of wealth and shared value, has said Mr. Mezzour.
Regarding industrial sovereignty, the Minister made a point of specifying that the African economy is solid and concedes priority to industrialization, employment and the creation of value, with a view to ensuring that the Continent has its rightful place. on the world economy map.
Placed under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this Summit, which is initiated in partnership with the “Corporate Council on Africa” (CCA), has the participation of a large American government delegation, African ministers and decision-makers. of the largest American multinationals and of the African business community.
Offering the opportunity to establish future-oriented USA-Morocco-Africa tripartite business partnerships, this Summit also represents an opportunity to consolidate the strategic positioning of Morocco, the only African country to have concluded a free trade agreement with the United States, as a hub for Africa and a reference economic partner for the USA.
This conclave will be marked by the organization of high-level dialogues, plenary sessions, panels, round tables and side-events around the priorities of the Continent in terms of food security, health, agriculture, energy transition , new technologies, infrastructures and integration of industrial ecosystems.
