Strengthening Diplomatic and Economic Bonds
From April 26 to April 29, a significant institutional delegation from the Souss Massa region of Morocco, led by President Karim Achengli and comprising over 50 representatives from various sectors including business, trade, academia, and sports, will visit the Canary Islands. This announcement was made by Alfonso Cabello, the spokesperson for the regional government, during a press briefing following the Government Council meeting. The visit aims to enhance cooperation between neighboring territories, focusing on institutional collaboration, economic development, and the creation of shared opportunities across both regions.
The working sessions will build upon the groundwork laid in January in Agadir, where a large delegation from the Canary Islands facilitated the signing of ten cooperation agreements and a memorandum of understanding designed to solidify a strategic relationship grounded in good neighborliness, institutional cooperation, and mutual interests. Cabello highlighted that three months following those initial agreements, both regions are making strides in implementing them, with a work agenda in the Canary Islands aimed at generating economic opportunities, promoting knowledge exchange, and developing joint projects that yield tangible benefits for both areas.
Collaborative Opportunities and Sectoral Meetings
On April 27, the collaboration between the two delegations will commence with a bilateral meeting between the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, and President Karim Achengli of the Souss Massa Regional Council. This will be followed by a plenary session addressing the development of the signed agreements and exploring new avenues for cooperation. According to Octavio Caraballo, the Deputy Counselor of the Presidency Cabinet, this meeting is crucial for establishing a long-term working relationship with Souss Massa and advancing practical cooperation that delivers concrete results for both territories.
Caraballo elaborated that this relationship is not confined to institutional frameworks alone; it is also expanding into diverse sectors such as economic, academic, scientific, and sports, highlighting its comprehensive nature and potential to create opportunities on both sides. During the visit, various sector-specific and business meetings will be held to identify new collaboration opportunities. Notably, B2B meetings between Canary Islands and Moroccan companies will serve as a vital tool for strengthening economic ties, attracting investments, and establishing a stable cooperation framework between both regions.
The itinerary will also include tours of strategic infrastructures within the archipelago, such as the Port of Las Palmas, the Technological Institute of the Canary Islands (ITC), and facilities related to water management, innovation, tourism, primary sector activities, and academia. These visits aim to facilitate the exchange of experiences and advance joint projects in areas such as blue economy, sustainability, digitalization, and training.
In the realm of sports, the agenda will encompass meetings related to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, a major international event jointly hosted by the Canary Islands, Spain, Morocco, and Portugal. These interactions will foster the exchange of experiences and coordination among territories facing common challenges, thereby exploring collaborative opportunities in facility management, training, and the international promotion of sports.
Additionally, public universities in the Canary Islands will once again play a pivotal role, aligning with the promotion of scientific diplomacy and academic collaboration as key pillars of the Canarias-Africa Strategy. The objective is to further advance cooperation in research, talent mobility, and knowledge transfer, as well as in shared solutions to common challenges like energy transition, water resource management, and the development of more resilient economies.
As reported by europapress.es.
