Speaking at the inaugural session of the “Salon FrancoTech” (October 3-4), the first innovation fair in French, Mr. Alj observed that the countries of the French-speaking world have “remarkable assets” and “ enormous complementarities”, whether in terms of natural and energy resources, in terms of technology and innovation or even human capital.
For Mr. Alj, if the growth indicators of most French-speaking countries are green, “the share of trade between those in Africa, for example, only accounts for around 11% of their total trade”, citing figures from the Economic Francophonie Observatory.
The president of Moroccan employers estimated that to move from a simple cultural Francophonie to “a true economic Francophonie”, facilitating and promoting development, the establishment of a certain number of mechanisms is necessary, in particular the establishment of “a platform of business opportunities”.
“This platform is essential to give visibility to economic operators and promote connections and partnerships. To make it even more impactful, this tool could be consolidated by a French-speaking financing mechanism,” explained Mr. Alj during this session held under the theme “Create, innovate and undertake in French”.
He also underlined the need for a “fluidification of visa processes” through the establishment of fast-tracks for business leaders at the employer level.
“It is unacceptable for a business leader to be refused a visa to carry out business trips in the French-speaking world. This must be remedied urgently,” he argued, emphasizing the importance of densifying trade routes, through the establishment of maritime and air corridors and the development of economic and financial connectivity.
“In Morocco, we have built, for several years, a very favorable foundation for the development of cooperation with our European and African partners in terms of maritime connectivity: with the ports of Tangier-Med, Casablanca, Jorf Lasfar and future ports of Dakhla Atlantique and Nador Med, air connectivity: with Royal Air Maroc which serves the majority of the capitals of the two continents, or in terms of financial connectivity with three Moroccan banks present in 24 African countries and almost all of Europe,” he noted.
And to specify that “Moroccan economic operators, of all sizes, operate today in more than 30 countries on the continent creating, with their local partners, shared added value and jobs for African youth, according to the vision of Sa Majesty King Mohammed VI, who was a pioneer in believing in Africa.
“In order to increase their trade, the French-speaking countries of the continent should adopt policies to diversify their production and accelerate their industrialization while taking advantage of the enormous potential available in terms of renewable energies,” said Mr. Alj, noting that at the CGEM, “we work to promote this diversification”.
The president of French employers, Medef, Patrick Martin, for his part, indicated that the entrepreneurial dynamic in French-speaking countries, particularly in Africa, is “remarkable”.
He also highlighted the essential role of economic diplomacy, emphasizing that French-speaking entrepreneurs have shown themselves to be pragmatic and innovative, even in sometimes delicate and complex diplomatic contexts.
Dedicated to innovations in French, the FrancoTech show is in line with the spirit of the 19th Francophonie Summit which opens Friday at the Cité internationale de la langue française at the Château de Villers-Cotterêts, north of Paris, before continue the next day at the Grand Palais in the French capital.
Organized by the General Secretariat of the Sommet de la Francophonie, in partnership with Business France and the Alliance of Francophone Employers, FrancoTech aims to boost commercial exchanges and economic flows between French-speaking actors around the world, in particular through the implementation value of offers, innovative models and modern entrepreneurial successes within the French-speaking world.
This major event brings together more than 1,500 professionals around 150 exhibitors from nearly 100 countries, to stimulate innovation, partnerships and successes in French through panels, thematic workshops, B2B meetings, an innovation competition and a exhibition space.
