In an interview with MAP, the Director of the Economic Impulse and Territorial Offer division at the Regional Investment Center (CRI) of Béni Mellal-khénifra, Nawfal Hammoumi returns to the leading role played by the CRI in supporting companies and the efforts undertaken in the medium and long term to make the region a true economic locomotive at the national and international level.
What are the main assets of the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region which make it a preferred destination for investors, both economically and geographically?
Béni Mellal-Khénifra is much more than a simple geographical territory, it is a real ecosystem of opportunities for investors. Our region, located in the heart of Morocco, offers several assets which make it fertile ground for the most ambitious projects. The figures speak for themselves: in 2023, we recorded more than 34 billion dirhams of investments, thus generating 11,480 jobs.
These results demonstrate the growing confidence of investors in our region and our ability to transform assets into concrete successes. Agriculture, the pillar of our economy, benefits from an exceptional terroir and diversified production.
At the same time, the industry is experiencing remarkable growth, particularly in promising sectors such as metallurgy, textiles and renewable energies. Our region has considerable solar and wind energy potential, thus offering new development prospects. Our varied and authentic landscapes make our region a tourist destination of choice. We are actively working to develop this sector, which represents an important lever for our economy.
And to maintain this dynamism and attract ever more investors, we have implemented an ambitious investment strategy, in perfect alignment with the New Investment Charter.
This strategy is based on several pillars, namely an improved business climate: we are constantly working to simplify administrative procedures and offer personalized support to investors, modern and developed infrastructures to facilitate the establishment of businesses, a hand -qualified work: we develop a training offer adapted to the needs of companies and promote the employability of young people, attractive tax incentives: we offer a range of tax incentives to encourage investments in the sectors priorities.
In short, Béni Mellal-Khénifra is a region in motion, where innovation and entrepreneurship are encouraged. We invite all investors to come and discover our territory and seize the many opportunities it offers.
How does the Regional Investment Center support companies, particularly SMEs, in their investment and development projects?
The Béni Mellal-Khénifra Regional Investment Center is more than just a one-stop shop. We are a true partner, a catalyst for investment and a key player in the economic development of our region. Our mission is clear: to support companies and SMEs from start to finish in their projects.
We offer them a tailor-made service, adapted to their specific needs. Whether it is a feasibility study, a search for financing, putting you in touch with experts or support with administrative procedures, we are at their side.
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Our approach is resolutely modern, digital and focused on the future. We have implemented innovative and effective programs, designed to simplify the act of investment and encourage the development of successful businesses.
These programs are fully in line with national and regional strategies, while being adapted to the specificities of our territory. In short, we want to make Béni Mellal-Khénifra a destination of choice for investors, by offering them an attractive business environment and an ecosystem conducive to growth. We are convinced that our region has immense economic potential and we work tirelessly to unlock it.
What are the medium and long-term objectives of the CRI to make Béni Mellal-Khénifra an even more attractive and dynamic region on the national and international economic scene?
The Béni Mellal-Khénifra Regional Investment Center is fully engaged in a dynamic of economic development. Our strategy is structured around several key axes, namely, strengthening the attractiveness of our territory: we are developing modern industrial zones, simplifying administrative procedures: we are setting up a one-stop shop to facilitate investment, promoting our sectors of excellence: we focus on agriculture, tourism and industry by developing sectoral clusters to promote synergies and innovation, adapt training to market needs: we work in close collaboration with training stakeholders to meet the skills needs of companies.
In recent years, we have recorded convincing results. More than record investment amounts, we have achieved, as part of a study monitoring the implementation of investment projects, a rate of 43% of projects authorized over the period 2020-2022, i.e. 13% more than the national average.
This success is the result of a rigorous quality approach, based on precise performance indicators and regular monitoring of investment projects. And to go even further, we have launched new initiatives such as the “Investment Brief” and the “Investment Explained” available in several languages.
These programs, as well as a series on entrepreneurship, aim to inform and support investors, whether Moroccan or foreign. We are already seeing unprecedented enthusiasm from investors, which demonstrates the attractiveness of our region.
We are convinced that Béni Mellal-Khénifra has a promising future. Our region has considerable assets: a diverse and significant sectoral potential, a rich cultural heritage, and a qualified workforce. We are determined to make Béni Mellal-Khénifra a benchmark for investment in Morocco.
