Dubai International Chamber trade mission concludes in Casablanca

Dubai International Chamber

Dubai International Chamber, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, has successfully concluded its trade mission to Senegal and Morocco as part of the ‘New Horizons’ initiative'.

The chamber signed four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in Morocco and arranged 300 bilateral meetings in Casablanca between companies from Dubai and Morocco to explore opportunities for business growth and economic partnerships.

In line with its goal of strengthening cooperation, promoting bilateral trade and investments, and building constructive partnerships, Dubai Chambers signed MoUs with the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development, the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Casablanca-Settat, and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Rabat-Salé-Kenitra.

The agreements pave the way for more opportunities for cooperation between Dubai-based companies and their Moroccan counterparts to drive expansion in promising sectors. The organisations will collaborate to arrange trade missions, conferences, and business events, as well as engage in the mutually beneficial sharing of knowledge and expertise to support growth and innovation.

The mission's activities in Casablanca included the organisation of a special business forum titled ‘Doing Business with Morocco,’ which was organised by the Dubai International Chamber with the support of the UAE Embassy in Rabat and the four parties that signed MoUs with Dubai Chambers.

The event attracted a total of 420 participants, including senior officials, business leaders, and local companies interested in exploring potential partnerships with members of the chamber’s delegation.

During his opening remarks at the event, Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, highlighted the growing bilateral cooperation between the two markets, stating, “The economy of the Kingdom of Morocco has made significant strides that enhance its attractiveness among private sector companies from Dubai. Our mission creates an impactful platform to strengthen trade and investment relations between the business communities in Dubai and Morocco, build fruitful partnerships that serve our mutual goals and interests, and unlock new opportunities for growth and prosperity.”

Non-oil trade between Dubai and Morocco reached a value of AED 3.2 billion in 2023. A total of 850 Moroccan companies were registered as active members of Dubai Chamber of Commerce at the end of Q1 2024, 99 of which joined during the first three months of the year.

Morocco ranked fourth among African nations in terms of the number of active members of Dubai Chamber of Commerce at the end of Q1 2024.

The trade mission was attended by representatives of 18 companies from Dubai operating across diverse sectors including agriculture and food; beauty and cosmetics; construction, real estate, and retail; construction materials; electronics; energy; environmental solutions; fashion ecommerce; food and beverages; general trading; healthcare and medical supplies; information technology; oil and gas; and supply chain and logistics.

As part of the business forum, the chamber delivered an informative presentation on Dubai’s trade and economic landscape that highlighted the competitive advantages the emirate offers for Moroccan companies. In addition, an insightful panel discussion featuring experts from prominent economic sectors discussed the opportunities available in the Moroccan market for companies from Dubai, together with valuable guidance for businesses and investors.

This was followed by a series of bilateral business meetings between representatives of companies from Dubai and Morocco, which continued during the second day of the mission. In addition, the delegation participated in a series of site visits to Moroccan companies.

The chamber has identified a range of promising sectors for exports from Dubai to Morocco including aluminium and copper wire, wheat, dates, mobile devices, electronics, and plastics. Key sectors with investment opportunities in Morocco for Dubai-based companies include agriculture and fisheries, renewable energy, telecommunications, and business services.