Kazakhstan Establishes a Business Platform in Morocco for Women Entrepreneurs
From July 20 to July 24, 2026, a pioneering delegation from the Association of Business Women of Kazakhstan, led by President Gulzat Izbassarova, embarked on a significant visit to the Kingdom of Morocco. This initiative, supported by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Morocco, marked a crucial milestone, representing the inaugural direct engagement of Kazakh businesswomen with the African continent. The visit was meticulously structured to encompass a dynamic business program across three Moroccan cities, focusing on fostering direct connections with various Moroccan business associations, development institutions, and manufacturing enterprises.
The journey commenced in the historic city of Fes, where the Kazakh entrepreneurs engaged in fruitful discussions at the Fes-Meknes Regional Investment Centre. They participated in B2B meetings with local business representatives, covering diverse sectors such as tourism and hospitality, agricultural processing, international trade and logistics, as well as the production of natural cosmetics. Notably, these meetings received substantial support and personal involvement from Fatima Zougagh, a member of the House of Councilors of the Moroccan Parliament, who has long advocated for the strengthening of business ties between Kazakhstan and Morocco.
A Historic Forum and Collaborative Agreements
The delegation then proceeded to Casablanca, where they hosted the inaugural Morocco-Kazakhstan Businesswomen Forum in collaboration with the Moroccan Women Association Acting International Business (MOWAIB). This significant event attracted executives from various Moroccan companies, as well as representatives from several African nations and international organizations. Participants recognized Morocco's strategic position as a gateway to African and Arab markets, while viewing Kazakhstan as a viable platform for engagement across Central Asia and the broader Eurasian region. The forum culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two associations, which laid the groundwork for future business forums, trade missions, and collaborative efforts aimed at empowering women-led businesses, startups, and cooperatives. The agreement also encompasses cooperation in areas such as digitalization, e-commerce, cosmetics, agriculture, and the food industry.
On the same day in Casablanca, the businesswomen attended the inaugural session of the Kazakhstan-Morocco Business Council, organized by the Kazakh Embassy. This council served as a productive platform for discussions with leading Moroccan companies, focusing on potential collaborations in trade and logistics. The final leg of the delegation's visit took place in Marrakech, where they participated in the opening ceremony of the Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan, attended by Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Morocco, Saulekul Sailaukyzy, and the Honorary Consul Younes Essassi. In Marrakech, talks were also held with Badia Bitar, President of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Morocco for the Marrakech-Safi Region, leading to an agreement for collaboration within the World Association of Women Entrepreneurs (FCEM), which unites women's entrepreneurship associations across five continents.
The Kazakh delegation also toured Botanika Marrakech, a prominent cosmetics and perfumery producer founded by Badia Bitar, where discussions regarding potential joint ventures took place. This visit successfully established the first institutional partnership between women's business networks in Kazakhstan and their counterparts in Morocco, paving the way for enhanced economic dialogue and collaboration. The momentum generated during this visit is expected to carry forward into future engagements, including a reciprocal visit from the Moroccan delegation to Kazakhstan. The development signifies not only a step forward for women entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan but also a promising avenue for deeper economic ties between Kazakhstan and Morocco.
As reported by kt.kz.
