A conference tackling the development of a multi-dimensional partnership between Morocco and Austria was held in Vienna on Wednesday, at the initiative of Moroccan Millennium Leaders (MML) and Austria’s Young Professional Network.
A number of elected representatives, economic operators, community actors and academics attended this event, part of the Moroccan civil society’s commitment to promoting the Kingdom’s influence among its European partners.
Erragheb Hormatallah, President of the Dakhla Communal Council, highlighted the economic asset of the Kingdom’s southern provinces, particularly that of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region.
He also estimated that the prospects for economic cooperation and investment between Morocco and Austria could reach their full potential, underscoring the economic opportunities and assets the Kingdom has to offer.
“Morocco has been undergoing major transformation and economic development for nearly 25 years,” he stressed, recalling that it has adopted a new-generation investment charter, providing investors with a unique opportunity and a reliable business climate.
Highlighting the shared desire of economic players, the government and various stakeholders to be part of this momentum, Hormatallah pointed out that the city of Dakhla is a key hub in various economic fields, such as tourism, renewable energies and aquaculture.
“Thanks to its air connectivity with several European countries, Dakhla is ready to continue hosting investments from all over the world,” he stressed.
Nico Marchetti, member of the Austrian National Council and deputy of the ruling ÖVP party, underlined the outstanding dynamics of relations between Morocco and Austria.
“We are not only improving the political aspect of our relations, but also working to strengthen the cultural and economic ties between both countries,” said Marchetti, who hailed the Kingdom’s pioneering experience in the field of wind energy.
He indicated that these efforts are likely to create a framework conducive to even stronger collaboration between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of fostering closer ties between young leaders from both sides, with the aim of sharing ideas to build the future of both nations.
Thomas Mark, President of MK Illumination S.A., a company specializing in manufacturing and project design, said the meeting offered a “fantastic opportunity” to build bridges between the two countries through innovation and creativity, noting that “the solutions we build together will have a lasting impact in both Morocco and Austria.”
For her part, Jalila Morsli, the President of the Casablanca-Settat Regional Chamber of Crafts emphasized the symbolic and strategic significance of bilateral cooperation, asserting that the partnership between Morocco and Austria “is symbolic of a dialogue between two millennia-old civilizations.”
She went on to say that ” today, significant cooperation bridges are built thanks to the contribution of various players,” noting that a number of diplomatic, political, parliamentary, cultural and economic cooperation between the two countries continues in a spirit of friendship.
She also urged to seize every opportunity to strengthen this strategic partnership, pointing out that “several partners in Europe and elsewhere have understood what Morocco is: a thousand-year-old civilization and a reliable and indispensable partner on the African and Mediterranean continents.”
Henri Louis Vedie, Professor at HEC Paris and Senior Fellow at the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS), spoke of the strategic partnership between Morocco and France, hailing it as a European model of strategic cooperation.
“This partnership is much more than economic: it reflects a shared vision of solidarity between continents. Together, we can build a more just and resilient future,” he noted.
He also reviewed the investment potential and opportunities in the Southern Provinces, as part of the new development model.
As per Mario Ralon, Sales Director of Austrian company KapschTrafficCom, a leader in the smart mobility sector, highlighted Morocco’s ripe business climate for foreign investment.
Ralon, an Austrian investor operating in Morocco, talked about his company’s experience in toll road solutions. He said that the company would like to support the Kingdom in setting up road infrastructure, namely for the upcoming sporting events Morocco will be hosting.
The event, which was attended by over 80 leading figures from the Austrian political, economic and academic arenas, addressed key issues such as energy, mobility, sustainable development and cultural exchanges.