Efforts to enhance the contribution of Moroccans living abroad to the Kingdom’s economic development took center stage on Friday during an economic meeting held in Barcelona, marking the 11th stop in the series launched by the Moroccans of the World Awards (TMM) Foundation. The event, organized under the theme “Moroccans of the World: Strategic Sectors for Investing in Morocco,” brought together experts, institutional representatives, and members of the Moroccan diaspora to explore avenues for strengthening investment flows and mobilizing expatriate expertise.
At the gathering, Ali Mehrez, Senior Manager for strategic partnerships at the Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency (AMDIE), underscored the diversity of investment opportunities available in Morocco. He highlighted that the Kingdom offers high-potential prospects across several sectors, including tourism, services, and industry, and stressed the need to better inform expatriates of the tools and mechanisms that facilitate investment procedures.
Mohamed Chaib, President of the Ibn Battouta Foundation, welcomed the Barcelona stop, emphasizing that the challenge goes beyond inviting Moroccans abroad to invest. He noted that success requires clearly identifying priority sectors, outlining the steps to follow, and providing detailed guidance on the support structures in place. This clarity, he said, is essential to ensuring that investment initiatives are both sustainable and impactful.
The Consul General of Morocco in Barcelona, Nezha Attahar, reiterated the importance of the Royal directives articulated by King Mohammed VI in his speeches of August 20, 2022, and November 6, 2024. These speeches call for fully valuing the contribution of Moroccans living abroad—not only through financial transfers but also through the mobilization of skills, expertise, and innovative project ideas capable of advancing national development.
TMM Foundation President Amine Saad noted that the Barcelona stop follows similar events held in Amsterdam, London, Madrid, Brussels, and Paris. He also announced the signing of a partnership agreement with the Ibn Battouta Foundation aimed at implementing a series of cultural and economic projects throughout 2026 and 2027, in collaboration with Moroccan communities in Europe.
The meeting concluded with an open discussion session, followed by a networking event designed to facilitate direct exchanges between project initiators and the institutions responsible for supporting investment. Organizers said these interactions are essential to transforming interest into concrete investment initiatives that contribute to Morocco’s long-term economic ambitions.
