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GCC-Morocco forum focuses on investments, partnerships

The Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) took part in the 4th GCC-Morocco Investment Forum and Expo in Casablanca, on Nov. 28-29.
The event was held with the support of King Mohammed the Sixth. It was organized by the Federation of GCC Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FGCCC) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Arab Gulf Agency for Media and Communications.
GOIC Secretary-General Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al-Ageel presented a paper on qualifying human resources, research and innovation and their impact on economic and industrial development.
Al-Ageel said the number of workers in the GCC industrial sector reached 1,379,257 workers in 2013, and commended GCC countries’ endeavors to qualify human resources, notably skilled and highly qualified workers. “These countries believe in the key role of skilled workers in the development of manufacturing and knowledge-based industries,” said Al-Ageel.
The GOIC secretary general highlighted the organization’s efforts in the area of industrial investments. He opined that Gulf and Moroccan businessmen have the opportunity to benefit from industrial studies and investment opportunities prepared by GOIC, while skilled Moroccan workers benefit by getting jobs in the GCC industrial sector.
Moreover, GCC and Morocco industrial investment forums are to target specific industries and strategic partnerships are to be built between Gulf and Moroccan investors in promising industrial sectors in Morocco such as industries supporting solar applications, food industries, pharmaceuticals, recycling, metals, automobile and aircraft spare parts industries.

According to Al-Ageel, Moroccan expertise is highly valuable to promote GCC industrial investments in African countries, for Morocco is the gate to Africa. It is key to encourage Moroccan businessmen to benefit from the positive investment environment in GCC countries and to cooperate with GOIC in order to promote industrial investment opportunities in the Kingdom.
As to the fields of cooperation between the GCC and Morocco, Al-Ageel said: “Emphasis is on scientific research and human resources training, by offering training courses and qualifying Moroccan human resources. GCC countries have valuable partnerships with global research centers and universities with a broad expertise in various fields and capable of attracting international skills and know-how. Moreover, Moroccan scientific research centers can be financed through GCC scientific research funds and major industrial companies or investors. Skilled Moroccan labor force is to find job opportunities at research and innovation centers and knowledge oases. Qualifying human resources, research and innovation and training all have a positive impact on economic and industrial development.”
The GOIC secretary-general called upon GCC countries and Morocco to exchange expertise in the area of researches published in French; several Moroccan researchers and scientists work in France and Switzerland, both developed countries in the area of scientific research.
The forum focused on promoting investments and partnerships between GCC countries and Morocco in several sectors like agriculture, food security, industry, tourism, pharmaceuticals, human resources, scientific research, innovation, training, transport and railways, energy, metals and SMEs.

Cr:http://www.arabnews.com/economy/news/667926