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

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Ya Biladi

9 hours ago

• Ya Biladi

Algerian X accounts share «secret document» claiming Moroccan officers «killed in Israel» [Debunked]

On June 22, 2025, an Algerian propaganda account called Algeria Gate on X (formerly Twitter) shared an image claiming to be a «secret» diplomatic telegram from Morocco's liaison office in Tel Aviv. The message alleges that two Moroccan officers were killed and a third seriously wounded in an Iranian bombing of an Israeli military base in northern Israel known as «Meron». The post also claims these Moroccan soldiers were involved in joint operations with the Israeli military, specifically in intelligence work tied to Unit 8200, Israel's cyber warfare unit. According to Algeria Gate, this Moroccan military presence is part of a covert security agreement formed after the Abraham Accords in 2020, accusing Morocco of aligning itself militarily with Israeli interests in the region. A Clear Fake There are several obvious errors and inconsistencies that seriously call the document's authenticity into question. Moroccan officials have not confirmed or commented on it: The document shows a red «SECRET» stamp beneath the typed text, something official documents never do. These stamps are always manually applied after printing to ensure they're clearly visible and genuine. This alone proves the document is fake. The font and formatting don't match Moroccan diplomatic styles, which have strict rules about headers, stamps, and signatures. No official source, credible media outlet, or independent organization has reported any Iranian strike on the Meron base or casualties among Moroccan officers. Context: Propaganda War Between Morocco and Algeria This misinformation comes amid rising tensions and a fierce propaganda war between Moroccan and Algerian accounts on social media: Just days before this, Moroccan accounts on X spread unconfirmed rumors about Algerian soldiers dying in Iran after Israeli strikes. This alleged «telegram» from Algeria appears to be a retaliatory disinformation tactic, accusing Morocco of complicity in Israeli military actions. The Algeria Gate account has a history of spreading false information about Morocco. Given the lack of evidence, graphic mistakes, and shady source, these claims should be rejected outright.

Ya Biladi

16 hours ago

• Ya Biladi

French Minister Aurore Bergé visits Morocco to advance equality efforts

French Minister for Gender Equality and the Fight Against Discrimination, Aurore Bergé, is on an official visit to Morocco from June 23 to 25, 2025. The visit forms part of the strengthened and exceptional partnership initiated by the heads of state of both countries. During her stay, she will hold talks with senior Moroccan officials, including Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Minister of Economy and Finance, and Naïma Ben Yahia, Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family. According to a briefing note issued ahead of the visit, Aurore Bergé will also focus on the role of women in the economy. Her agenda includes a visit to the Safran Nacelles Morocco industrial site, as well as discussions on women's training and their vital contribution to the Moroccan economy at the Institute of Aeronautics Professions. She is also scheduled to meet with civil society organizations working to promote gender equality. In addition, the minister will hold meetings with Amina Bouayach, President of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH); Mbarka Bouaida, President of the Association of Regions of Morocco and President of the Guelmim Oued Noun Regional Council; and Ahmed Abbadi, Secretary-General of the Rabita of Ulemas. She will also be received by André Azoulay, Advisor to King Mohammed VI. The visit is seen as a «key step toward bringing Morocco into the circle of countries that have adopted a feminist foreign policy», in the lead-up to an international conference on feminist diplomacy scheduled for Paris in October 2025, according to the same source. Aurore Bergé and Naïma Ben Yahia are also expected to announce a joint commitment to «strengthening Franco-Moroccan cooperation in training and prevention programs to combat all forms of violence against women».

Morocco World

17 hours ago

• Morocco World

Kazakh Delegation Visits Morocco to Boost Religious Cooperation

Rabat – A delegation from the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan reportedly visited Morocco this week as part of an official trip aimed at strengthening cooperation in religious education and the training of imams and spiritual guides. The delegation was led by Sanzisbay Kurbanuly, Deputy Grand Mufti, and Smayil Suerkuly, Advisor to the Grand Mufti and Head of the Department of Religious Education, acting on behalf of Nauryzbay Haj Taganuly, the Grand Mufti of Kazakhstan. The delegation reportedly held official meetings in the capital, Rabat, with Abdelssalam Al-Azaar, Director of the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams Religious Preachers. During the meetings, the Moroccan official provided detailed explanations about Morocco's system of religious education, the structure of its imam training programs, and the efforts undertaken to enhance the scientific and intellectual level of trainees. The Kazakh delegation proposed organizing short-term training courses, lasting between three and four months, for Kazakh imams in Morocco to help improve their professional qualifications. According to a statement by the Kazakh administration, the visit aims to strengthen the exchange of expertise between Kazakhstan's religious institutions and their Moroccan counterparts, and to establish effective partnerships in the field of imam training and international capacity-building. This visit builds on a framework of growing religious cooperation between Morocco and Kazakhstan. In 2022, the two countries signed an Islamic cooperation agreement in Rabat, enabling exchanges in religious training, mosque management, Quranic competitions, and the teaching against extremist ideologies. The agreement laid the groundwork for deeper institutional ties, particularly in the field of imam training—a central component of the current visit. Morocco's experience in this field has become a reference in Africa and beyond, with Kazakhstan as part of the growing group of religious authorities that have shown increasing interest in adopting elements of this model. Earlier this year, both countries signed a broader cooperation roadmap that reaffirmed their commitment to religious and cultural collaboration. The roadmap has mechanisms in place towards enhancing ties between Islamic institutions and promoting shared values rooted in a common religious heritage. Tags: KazakhstanMoroccoMorocco Kazakhstanreligious cooperation