This announcement was made during a meeting held Wednesday in Nouakchott between the Ambassador of the Kingdom in Mauritania Hamid Chabar and the President of the National Union of Mauritanian Employers, Mohamed Zine El Abidine Ould Cheikh.

During this meeting, emphasis was placed on the preparations for this event which will see the participation of a large number of Moroccan companies, as well as on ways to strengthen trade and economic exchanges between the two countries and consolidate the investment climate.

In this context, the two parties also emphasized the important role played by employers' organizations of both countries in promoting trade through the signing of cooperation agreements, investment and exchange and the organization of economic forums.

They welcomed the support of public authorities to the efforts to develop trade between Morocco and Mauritania.

These projects will be carried out by Spanish companies in Morocco, said Sanchez who spoke at the forum alongside the Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, stressing that Spain and Morocco share the ambition to move forward in terms of bilateral relations, including with the 24 agreements to be signed.

These relations, he argued, are in the interest of Morocco and Spain, but also of Europe.

Meanwhile, Sanchez recalled that Spain is the third foreign investor in Morocco and welcomed the level of trade between the two countries.

Organized on the sidelines of the 12th Morocco-Spain High Level Meeting (HLM), at the initiative of the General Confederation of Moroccan Business (CGEM), the Confederación Española de Organizaciones Empresariales (CEOE) and the Economic Council of Morocco and Spain (CEMAES), this forum was an opportunity to discuss the question "How can Moroccan and Spanish companies together seize the opportunities presented by the reconfiguration of global value chains? " and « Energy transition, environment and circular economy, key sectors of Morocco-Spain economic partnership".

Sanchez will co-chair with Akhannouch this High Level Meeting, which is held eight years after the last session of this institutional mechanism.

This meeting is part of the strategic partnership and the new dynamic that relations between the two kingdoms following the visit of Sanchez to Morocco last April at the invitation of HM King Mohammed VI.

The audience of this edition, held from February 1 to 11 in Tangier and Rabat, was amazed by a series of choreographies, songs and music and images linking the past and the present and highlighting the beauty of Morocco's nature, architecture and hospitality.

Among the highlights of the evening was a rhythmic folkloric show with a modern touch that took the audience on a fascinating journey through different regions of Morocco.

The passion for football was strongly emphasized, with a return in images on the scenes of jubilation of the Moroccan public in reaction to the Atlas Lions’ performance during the last World Cup in Qatar.

The highlight of this moment of nostalgia was the appearance on stage of the national coach Walid Regragui, the surprise guest of the evening, warmly welcomed by the public.

The organizers of this opening ceremony also paid a posthumous tribute to the legend Pele, who died in late 2022.

Morocco organizes the Mondialito for the third time, after the 2013 edition that saw the Raja of Casablanca reach the final (defeated 2-0 against Bayern Munich) and that of 2014, which saw the participation of the Moghreb of Tetouan, as champion of Morocco.

Speaking at the Morocco-Spain Economic Forum held on the sidelines of the High Level Meeting (HLM), Sanchez highlighted the importance that his country attaches to relations with Morocco and the common goal of opening a new stage that will allow to benefit from the full potential offered by these renewed relations, which are based on trust.

Spain and Morocco, he added, share the ambition to move forward in this new stage, especially with the 24 agreements that will be signed, believing that relations between the two countries are in the interest of Morocco, Spain and also Europe.

This new economic partnership will allow Moroccan and Spanish companies to be more prosperous, said Sanchez, announcing the signing of a new financing protocol of 800 million euros to finance new projects of common interest carried out by Spanish companies in Morocco.

President of the Spanish government also emphasized the opportunities of trade, infrastructure and strategic sectors.

In addition, Sanchez recalled that Spain is the third largest investor in Morocco, considering that the legal component is a key tool to strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

For his part, Akhannouch stressed that the strength of the Moroccan-Spanish relationship is fueled by the positive dynamics of bilateral trade.

"Spain is now the first trading partner of Morocco, on imports as exports. Morocco is the third trading partner of Spain outside the European Union, after China and the United States and the 1st destination of Spanish exports in Africa and the Arab world," he said.

"Our trade reached 17 billion euros in 2021. In the first nine months of 2022, they were up more than 21%," he added.

Meanwhile, Akhannouch noted that the stock of Spanish investment in Morocco is growing while the stock of foreign direct investment (FDI) positions Spain as the third foreign investor in Morocco.

On this ground, the margin of progression remains important, whether in energy, transport, tourism or industry, especially in the light of the scheme provided by the new Investment Charter, said the Head of Government.

Akhannouch also said that the HLM "is an opportunity to celebrate the excellence of relations between our nations, under the leadership of the enlightened vision of Our Sovereigns, His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His Majesty King Felipe VI."

"As such, a new era of our bilateral relations has opened, through the position of your government regarding our southern provinces. Spain has had the courage of historical realism. And for this, Morocco pays tribute to you," he said, insisting on working hand in hand to build, together, a better future.

He concluded: "It is not surprising that a reliable, strong, flexible, intelligent and multidimensional partnership, translates into economic development. This is the meaning we wish to give to our partnership, as desired by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, that of a leadership in the service of development and peace in our Mediterranean region and, beyond, a model of understanding and shared prosperity for all nations."

Organized at the initiative of the CGEM, the Confederación Española de Organizaciones Empresariales (CEOE) and the Moroccan-Spanish Economic Council (CEMAES), this forum was an opportunity to discuss the question "How Moroccan and Spanish companies can seize together the opportunities presented by the reconfiguration of global value chains?" and "Energy transition, environment and circular economy, key sectors of the Moroccan-Spanish economic partnership".

Placed under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this exhibition has seen, since its opening to the public on November 28, 2022, a growing influx of visitors of all ages from different Moroccan cities, as well as residents and guests of the Kingdom, says ICESCO in a statement released on its electronic portal.

Several visitors expressed their great admiration for the exhibition, which simulates in detail the life of the Prophet (PBUH) using augmented reality techniques. They said the tour is a virtual spiritual journey through time, allowing them to explore the features of the Shirah in a simplified manner, added the same source.

This exhibition, which is the culmination of the strategic partnership between ICESCO, the World Islamic League and the Rabita Mohammadia of Ulemas, aims to highlight the message of Islam embodying justice, peace, mercy, tolerance, coexistence and moderation, and based on the Holy Quran, the Sunnah of the Prophet and the long-standing Islamic history, the same source said.

The exhibition is open free of charge to the general public, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 5pm.

The game is part of the play-offs of the Davis Cup World Group II, according to the Royal Moroccan Tennis Federation (FRMT).

The captain of the Moroccan team, Mehdi Tahiri was confident about the potential of Moroccan players.

These are Elliot Benchetrit, Adam Moundir, Yassine Dlimi, Younes Alami and Walid Ahouda. This is the same group that was able to finish first in the qualifications of Group 3 last August in Algiers.

For his part, the head of the Moroccan delegation and member of the executive board of the Royal Moroccan Tennis Federation FRMT, Zakaria Zemrani said that the Federation has put in place all the necessary conditions for the players and staff for the preparations of this event to go as well as possible.

Moroccan national team is in Abidjan since Monday, January 30 so that players can acclimate with the high heat and humidity, according to a statement from the Federation.

These talks focused on ways to strengthen parliamentary and economic cooperation between the two countries, the role of multidimensional parliamentary diplomacy and international issues of common interest, said the House of Representatives in a statement.

Quoted in the statement, Quintana said that this visit aims to give new impetus to parliamentary and economic cooperation between the two countries, to consolidate the partnership and openness to other sectors, to promote the exchange of experiences and expertise and to strengthen the acting and sustainable parliamentary dialogue between the two legislative institutions.

For his part, Talbi El Alami said that this meeting reflects the depth of friendly relations between Morocco and Chile, before giving an overview of political and institutional developments in the Kingdom. He highlighted the new features of the 2011 Constitution, particularly with regard to the principle of powers separation and the broad prerogatives given to the House of Representatives in terms of legislation, control of government action and assessment of public policies.

Regarding the Moroccan Sahara issue, Talbi El Alami welcomed Chile's constant position supporting the territorial integrity of the Kingdom and its respect for the sovereignty of Morocco, welcoming the level of parliamentary cooperation, while stressing the need to strengthen the exchange of experiences and expertise between the two legislative institutions.

This first meeting, held at the headquarters of the House of Councillors, was devoted to the process of comprehensive and multidimensional assessment of the relations of the Moroccan Parliament with the European Parliament, said the same source.

Following the adoption by the EP of a resolution hostile to Morocco, the Moroccan Parliament had announced on January 23, in a joint statement of its two Houses, the decision to reconsider its relations with the European Parliament.

"The economic operators of our two countries would benefit from and develop new joint ventures and crossed productive units," said Mezzour at the Moroccan-Spanish Economic Forum held on the sidelines of the Morocco-Spain High Level Meeting (HLM), at the initiative of the CGEM, Spanish Confederation of Employers' Organizations (CEOE) and Moroccan-Spanish Economic Council (CEMAES).

"It is their responsibility, in fact, to strengthen the bilateral industrial integration, and to bring out the most fruitful partnership projects, co-investments and joint ventures for mutual benefit," he added.

The Minister also said that Moroccan and Spanish companies considering an investment or co-investment can rely on the Moroccan industrial platform as a bridgehead to serve many global markets. "Our industrialists will find all the conditions required for a successful development of their activities.”

At the same time, he considered that the potential of the industrial partnership with Spain is expected to develop further through Morocco's positioning as the most competitive platform in terms of decarbonation, especially since Moroccan renewable energy is among the most competitive in the world with a strong growth in the share of these energies in the national energy mix, which will be increased to 52% by 2030, and an offer to connect industry to a renewable energy source up to -30% of the normal rate.

This forum was also an opportunity for Mezzour to stress that the Spanish economy absorbs 21% of Moroccan exports and provides 14% of our imports, while Morocco absorbs 51% of Spanish exports to the African market.

"We are gathered today to give a new impetus to our partnership. Building economic relations in a logic that would benefit our two countries and would allow a gain in competitiveness to Moroccan and Spanish manufacturers," he said.

For her part, Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah, said that a new generation economic alliance with Morocco, would allow Spain to benefit from the most effective entry point to project itself on the African continent based on the Kingdom’s institutional and macroeconomic stability under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

It will also build on the vitality of its businesses and private sector at large, the minister added, noting that Morocco over the past two decades has indeed become one of the beating hearts of Africa, becoming the second largest investor on the continent and the first in West Africa.

"By working together with us on the cooperation project and on public-private partnership projects, you will literally have access to a universe of opportunities in key sectors ranging from mobility to green transition to digital for manufacturing," said Fettah.

In this context, she called for building this new economic Moroccan-Spanish edifice that will capture together new opportunities, especially in the field of renewable energy and "offer the peoples of our two countries additional future prospects."

For her part, the Spanish Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, noted that in recent years, "we have witnessed an increase in economic and financial exchanges with economic interests and the respective development of both countries.”

This is a trajectory that must be maintained and grow in the future, she argued, indicating that the two countries have reached historic figures in their relationship, especially in foreign trade.

"I participated in the Executive Council held in Marrakech to make tourism a lever for development of our countries," she noted, adding that in this context, a new protocol of collaboration will be signed in the context of tourism through a commitment to exchange and share experiences in marketing and new technologies.

"Our meeting today is a new beginning towards a renewed Moroccan-Spanish economic partnership and a model of neighborhood," he said at the forum held on the sidelines of the Morocco-Spain High Level Meeting (HLM), at the initiative of the CGEM, Spanish Confederation of Employers' Organizations (CEOE) and Moroccan-Spanish Economic Council (CEMAES).

Alj also stressed that the links between the two countries are strong and resilient, recalling that Spain is, for over 10 years, the first trading partner of Morocco, since trade reached about 17 billion euros in 2021, despite a delicate economic situation, and are constantly increasing with annual growth rates in double digits.

He said that 17,000 Spanish companies have trade relations with Morocco and almost 800 are established there, noting that Moroccan investment in Spain is also growing and has the potential to grow further. "Although these findings are satisfactory, we must raise the bar," said Alj.

The CGEM chairperson noted that the reconfiguration of global value chains, which we are currently witnessing, is indeed a real avenue for growth for the two countries.

"Especially since our economic complementarities and our proximity allow us to build real integrated, sustainable and innovative industrial ecosystems in strategic sectors such as automotive, aerospace, pharmaceutical and textiles," he added, highlighting the importance of the food security issue, as well as energy transition, water management and health in this partnership.

For his part, the CEOE vice chairperson Miguel Garrido said that this economic forum is a major opportunity for cooperation between the two countries, noting that the Moroccan economy has a significant potential, due mainly to political stability.

He also said that Morocco is a key partner for Spain, and is a gateway to Africa, highlighting the complementarities between the economies of both countries.

Garrido has also called for taking advantage of the competitive advantages of both economies, including geographical and "promote trade opportunities between our respective markets."

Referring to the role of the Moroccan-Spanish Economic Council, he said it is a key instrument to promote cooperation between Moroccan and Spanish companies and increase their presence in both countries.

This forum aims to promote new economic partnerships between Moroccan and Spanish companies and accelerate the pace of investment and co-investment in priority sectors.