Strengthening Collaboration Between Canary Islands and Souss Massa
The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, emphasized the importance of translating the relationship with the Moroccan region of Souss Massa into tangible projects, economic opportunities, and beneficial outcomes for citizens. During an institutional plenary held in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which included the regional president Karim Achengli and various business, academic, and institutional representatives from both territories, Clavijo reiterated the commitment of the Canary Government to establish a solid and constructive strategic relationship with Souss Massa.
Clavijo articulated that the Canary Islands welcomes Souss Massa as a neighboring territory with which it shares much more than geographical proximity. He highlighted a mutual agenda encompassing blue economy, innovation, connectivity, tourism, energy, sustainability, water management, logistics, training, and port cooperation. This visit marks the largest Moroccan delegation to the Canary Islands and follows up on a collaboration initiated three months ago in Agadir, where both parties signed ten cooperation agreements and a Memorandum of Understanding between the Canary Government and the Souss Massa Region.
New Agreements and Future Prospects
The President underscored that cooperation between neighboring territories must go beyond goodwill and manifest in actionable projects, shared knowledge, and economic activity that yields real results for the populace. He identified Souss Massa as a priority region within the Canary Islands' external strategy, owing to its economic dynamism, Atlantic orientation, growth potential, and complementary nature with the Canary Islands.
Karim Achengli, President of the Souss Massa Regional Council, reinforced the significance of this mission, indicating it as a platform to build a future together, following the groundwork laid in Agadir in sectors such as innovation, investment, tourism, and agriculture. Both presidents announced the establishment of a technical committee to monitor and assess the impact of the agreements made between their territories.
Among the new agreements, Clavijo pointed out two initiatives spearheaded by the Canary Government. The first, facilitated through Proexca, involves the Regional Investment Center of Souss Massa to strengthen economic cooperation, promote reciprocal investments, and enhance business internationalization. The second agreement, initiated by the Technological Institute of the Canary Islands, will be signed with Ibn Zohr University to enhance scientific and technological collaboration, foster joint research projects, and promote knowledge transfer.
Clavijo articulated that these agreements pave the way for productive economic engagement and technological innovation, positioning the Canary Islands as an Atlantic platform towards Europe, West Africa, and the Americas. He emphasized the potential for growth in various sectors including agro-industry, maritime industries, logistics, water management, health, and tourism. Furthermore, he acknowledged the importance of enhanced connectivity, particularly in maritime, logistical, and academic realms, asserting that without connectivity, cooperation remains incomplete.
The agenda for the day continued with B2B business meetings and sectoral encounters, particularly in tourism and sports, which are expected to yield fruitful collaborations. As reported by www3.gobiernodecanarias.org.
