During the inaugural session of the FrancoTech Show in Paris, the president of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), Chakib Alj, called for strengthening trade between French-speaking countries. This show, which takes place on October 3 and 4, is dedicated to innovations in the French language.
Chakib Alj highlighted the economic assets of French-speaking countries, particularly in terms of natural resources, technology and human capital. However, he noted that intra-Francophone trade remains low, representing only 11% of total trade in Africa, according to the Observatoire de la Francophonie économique.
For the president of Moroccan employers, it is time to move from a cultural Francophonie to a true “economic Francophonie”, a source of development. He proposed the creation of a platform dedicated to business opportunities, in order to promote partnerships between economic operators. He also suggested associating a financing mechanism specific to French-speaking countries, to strengthen its impact.
Among the measures proposed, Mr. Alj called for a simplification of visa processes for business leaders, via the introduction of fast-tracks within employers. He also insisted on the need to strengthen transport and communication infrastructure between French-speaking countries, by developing maritime and air corridors, as well as economic and financial connectivity.
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He stressed that Morocco already has solid infrastructure in terms of connectivity, with the ports of Tangier-Med, Casablanca and the future projects of Dakhla Atlantique and Nador Med, as well as with the airline Royal Air Maroc, which serves many African and European capitals. The Moroccan banking sector, present in 24 African countries and a large part of Europe, also constitutes an important asset.
Mr. Alj encouraged French-speaking African countries to diversify their production, accelerate their industrialization and exploit their potential in renewable energies to stimulate trade.
Patrick Martin, president of Medef (the French employers’ association), also praised the entrepreneurial dynamic of French-speaking countries, particularly in Africa, and highlighted the role of economic diplomacy in the development of trade.
The FrancoTech Salon, dedicated to innovations in French, is part of the 19th Francophonie Summit. It brings together more than 1,500 professionals and 150 exhibitors from nearly 100 countries, with the aim of boosting economic exchanges and partnerships within the French-speaking world.
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