Mezzour: “Industrial companies, essential links in value chains”
Hibapress
Industrial companies are essential links in value chains and drivers of growth, job creation and innovation, Minister of Industry and Commerce Ryad Mezzour said Thursday in Casablanca.
Speaking at the opening of the work of the AZIAN Business Forum 2024, under the theme “Ecosystem of industrial companies, locomotive of growth and catalysts of competitiveness”, Mr. Mezzour stressed that these companies are not isolated entities, but essential links in complete chains of action, exchange and collaboration, which contribute to the sustainability of the economy.
Furthermore, the minister highlighted the crucial importance of industrial infrastructure to stimulate economic and social development, support private operators, encourage foreign and national investments, encourage industrial exports and facilitate technology transfer.
He also highlighted the essential role of industrial associations in the implementation of industrial strategies and their ability to adapt policies according to the specific needs of the sector.
After recalling initiatives such as the National Industrial Strategy and the Industrial Acceleration Plan, which enabled the development of quality infrastructure meeting international standards, Mr. Mezzour highlighted the growth of the Casablanca region- Settat which, over the last two decades, has become an attractive destination for investors thanks to its industrial and industrial acceleration zones.
A new program of commercial industrial zones is being developed in partnership with the Casablanca-Settat Regional Council, part of its regional development plan, he indicated, highlighting, moreover, Moroccan expertise in regarding the development and management of industrial infrastructures.
The Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills, Younes Sekkouri, affirmed for his part that the industry plays a strategic role in the economy, requiring increased preparation and adaptability to respond effectively to challenges.
It also highlighted the fundamental interest of industry, not only as a productive force but also as a strategic component in the face of common economic challenges.
Thus, the minister underlined the importance of recognizing the particularities specific to each industrial sector and their development potential, highlighting the crucial role of proposals in favor of a robust industrial policy to promote economic growth and the creation of jobs.
For his part, the president of the Casablanca-Settat Regional Council, Abdellatif Maâzouz, considered that the restructuring and modernization of the Aïn Sebaâ industrial zone are crucial steps to consolidate Morocco’s position in new markets, create employment opportunities, stimulate the economy and improve the competitiveness of national industry.
This zone, which employs nearly 40,000 workers, perfectly illustrates Morocco’s desire to enhance the added value of its industry and strengthen its industrial fabric, he underlined, recalling that one of the fundamental missions of the Region is to encourage investment in various sectors, particularly the industrial sector.
He also noted the importance of the Region’s investments for the complete rehabilitation of the Aïn Sebaâ industrial zone, including the improvement of its infrastructure and services to attract even more investment, both national and international.
This meeting took place in the presence, in particular, of the president of AZIAN, Mohamed Fikrat, the president of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), Chakib Alj, several personalities from the industrial sector, representatives of the different ministerial departments and regional managers.
