|
 Morocco
is a natural bridge between Western countries and the
Arab world. The country can be divided into two main
areas: the central plain, a fertile area well irrigated
by several rivers, and the Atlas Mountains, partly a
desert and partly an agricultural area. The country is
rich in economic resources, particularly in agriculture
and mining. In recent years, Morocco reached important
economic results creating a stable and balanced economy.
During 2008 year great emphasis was accorded by ITPO in
mobilizing the attention of the Italian business
community towards Morocco and its surprisingly active
private sector. Indeed, many are the opportunities
offered by the country, especially in textiles and
agribusiness, but also in the marble and the leather
domains as well.
UNIDO ITPO Italy
promotes Investments
in and technology transfer to Morocco with the support
of UNIDO IPU Morocco, strategically located within the
National Agency for the Promotion of Small and Medium
Enterprises (ANPME).
With the support of the Investment Promotion Unit, UNIDO
ITPO Italy offers free assistance to Moroccan companies
seeking Italian partners and to Italian companies
interested in starting-up industrial activities in
Morocco. UNIDO ITPO Italy promotes Foreign Direct
Investment and the creation of partnerships between
Moroccan and European companies with the objective of
reinforcing the competitiveness of the local industrial
system.
 In
fact, in 2008, ITPO gathered many entrepreneurial
delegations from Morocco, allowing Moroccan companies to
attend the most important fairs in Italy and meet
selected Italian economic operators interested in
developing business in the country. On the other hand,
genuine interest was shown by the Italian business
community in the events organized by ITPO, together with
the local IPU, in Morocco. The participation of the
Italian companies in local fairs, such as Siam and Maroc
Sourcing, was also significant.
Officials and consultants working for Moroccan consortia
engaged mostly in Argan products participated in a
study tour in Italy in October. The study tour,
originally organized for newly-formed Senegalese
consortia under a joint project with HQ’s Districts and
Consortia Unit, was expanded to include the Moroccan
participants. Both the Senegalese and Moroccans welcomed
the opportunity to engage in South-South cooperation, in
addition to visiting state-of-the-art consortia in Italy
and leading Italian enterprises in agroindustry, and
attending the most prestigious food-related meeting,
Salone del Gusto (linked to the Slow Food movement), in
Turin. |
