The Valencian Community has showcased its institutional and business potential to host a delegation from Morocco, led by its Industry Minister, Ryad Mezzour. The meeting, which began with a private dinner on Sunday at the headquarters of Cámara Valencia, continued on Monday with a business conference where authorities from the Consell, the employers' association CEV, and Cámara Valencia highlighted the region's strengths to the Maghrebi guests.
The "geostrategic" location of the Valencian market, its ports, its export drive, its diverse industrial fabric, and a network of technological institutes were among the strong points praised by Vicente Lafuente (president of the CEV), José Vicente Morata (president of Cámara Valencia), and the Minister of Industry, Marián Cano. The main objective of this meeting is to strengthen commercial ties, explore new business avenues, and consolidate investment attraction towards the Valencian Community.
Commercial relations saw a slight stagnation in exports in 2025, with 854 million euros sold to Morocco (0.7% less than in 2024). However, imports grew by 30% last year, reaching 560 million euros. Morocco has consolidated itself as the fourth-largest client market for the Comunitat outside the EU and the tenth extra-EU supplier. According to data from Cámara Valencia, 2,800 Valencian companies export to Morocco and 601 import regularly.
The Moroccan market, with 38 million inhabitants and significant development, represents an opportunity for Valencian companies. The best-selling Valencian products include ceramics, plastic materials and manufactures, and mechanical machines and apparatus. Conversely, the largest import volumes are fresh legumes and vegetables, followed by preserved fish and footwear.
The meeting was attended by representatives from companies such as Air Nostrum, Baleària, CaixaBank, EMAC Grupo, Grupo Erum, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), PowerCo España, Stadler Valencia, and Vectalia. The Valencian institutional representation included the second vice-president, José Luis Díez, and the regional secretary for Industry, Felipe Carrasco. On the Moroccan side, the co-presidents of the Morocco-Spain Business Council (CEMAES), Clemente González Soler and Adil Rais, and the ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco in Spain, Karima Benyaich, participated.
José Vicente Morata emphasized that "the geographical proximity and the growing complementarity of our economies place us before an extraordinary opportunity to continue advancing in a common agenda of growth, investment, and shared prosperity." He highlighted Morocco as "one of the most dynamic markets with the greatest potential for Valencian companies," particularly in industry, logistics, agri-food, energy, infrastructure, and technology.
During the conference 'Exploring Morocco: Keys to Investing and Growing in Africa from the Valencian Community,' it was highlighted that the Moroccan market serves as a gateway to the African continent. Vicente Lafuente noted that "we share a common Mediterranean space, top-tier logistical connections, and a growing complementarity between our productive fabrics." Morata added that "Morocco is an opportunity to be more competitive" and stressed the importance of the Mediterranean corridor.
The Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Kingdom of Morocco, Ryad Mezzour, stated that "there are many opportunities for companies from Valencia in Morocco and for Moroccan companies in this dynamic region of Valencia." He described the two economies as "complementary with a very interesting common future" and pointed to Valencia as "the gateway to Europe with a very dynamic port."
The Minister of Industry spoke about the need to "build an industrial, technological, and logistical alliance" to compete together in Europe, the Mediterranean, and Africa. During the meeting, the characteristics of the Moroccan market and the instruments supporting foreign investment were analyzed, with contributions from experts such as Adil Chennouf (CDG) and Hasna Benyaich (Tanger Med Zones).
Experiences of Spanish companies established in Morocco were presented, including those of Adolfo Utor (president of Baleària), Carlos Mulero (General Director of Erum Maroc Grupo Erum), and Juan Antonio Vidal (Director InCom Composites). The conference also included B2B business meetings to foster commercial contacts and identify new opportunities for collaboration.
