ASCAME President Dr. Josep Santacreu was on his first visit to Morocco from 30 March to 2 April. Morocco, a founding member of ASCAME 43 years ago, remains a strategic partner and will once again host MediTour in Agadir, to be held from June 18 to 20, under the theme “Sustainable and Innovative Mediterranean Destinations”.
The institutional visit began in Rabat with a working meeting with Mr. Saïd Dor, President of the Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie et de Services Agadir-Souss Massa, co-organiser of MediTour Agadir 2026, to review progress on MediTour’s agenda, speakers, partnerships, and international outreach. The organising delegation also included Mr. Abderrahim Ramy, Director General of the Souss Massa Chamber, and the Director General of SMART Tourisme, co-organiser of the event.
Dr. Santacreu also met with Mr. Lhoucine Alioua, President of the Federation of Moroccan Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Services (FCMCIS), along with its Director General, Ms. Narjiss Loubaris. Discussions highlighted the importance of economic and industrial development across the Mediterranean and the significant potential of ASCAME and its partners to strengthen economic cooperation and regional development in a strategic area connecting the Maghreb and Europe. Accompanied by his senior diplomatic advisor, Mr. Koussay Boulaich, Dr. Santacreu presented ASCAME’s strategic priorities for the 2026–2027 period, developed through an inclusive process with its members.
Mr. Alioua, who also serves as President of the Guelmim-Oued Noun region and is an ASCAME member, stressed the importance of maximising the added value that regional chambers bring to ASCAME and vice versa. He highlighted the unique positioning of regions such as his, with Atlantic coastlines and strong Mediterranean ties, offering significant trade and investment opportunities.
The visit also included an institutional meeting at the Spanish Embassy with Minister Counsellor Mr. Álvaro Ortega Barón, discussing Morocco’s economic transformation and its relations with the EU, Spain, and Catalonia.
Institutional meeting with the CCIS of Tangier – Tetouan – Al Hoceima
On the second day of his official visit to Morocco, Dr. Santacreu travelled to Tangier to meet with Mr. Afailal Abdelatif, President of the CCIS of Tangier – Tetouan – Al Hoceima. The gathering included the Mayor of Tangier, Mr. Mounir Limouri, and the Chamber’s deputies, Mr. Said Ahrouch, Mr. Abdelhamid El Hsissene and Mr. Anwar Arbai, together with the Chamber’s rapporteur, Mr. Mustapha Bennaji.
Also in attendance were: Mr. Nabil El Khamlichi, Acting Regional Director; Mr. Mohamed Yajou, Head of the Support and Promotion Department in Tangier; Ms. Soad Sabbah, Head of the Partnership and Economic Diplomacy Department; Ms. Khadija Bouhayek, Head of the Strategy and Territorial Attractiveness Department; Mr. Hassan Akh Al Arab, representative of the Tangier Prefecture; Mr. Omar Kaddaoui, President of the regional branch of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM); Mr. Yassine El Arroud, President of the regional Moroccan textile industry association; Mr. Amer Azghinou, President of the Moroccan Association of Intercontinental Road Transport; Mr. Ahmed El Gharabi, President of the National Federation of Multimodal Transport; Mr. Rachid El Ouardighi, President of the Moroccan Federation of Small Businesses; and Mr. Hamza El Hawaz, representative of Tangier Med Port.
The meeting provided an opportunity for networking and for exchanging views on ways to strengthen economic and investment cooperation between both shores of the Mediterranean. Two presentations were delivered, focusing on the economic and investment potential of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, as well as on partnership and cooperation opportunities and prospects.
Also, within the framework of bilateral relations between the Chamber of Barcelona and the Tangier–Tetouan–Al Hoceima Chamber, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to further strengthen trade ties and promote economic and business cooperation between both institutions. The signing ceremony was attended by Ms. Aurora Diaz-Rato, Consul General of Spain in Tangier, as well as by the President & Director of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Tangier, underscoring the institutional importance of this new step in Barcelona–Tangier relations.
High-level visits to Tangier and Tetouan
On the third and final day of his official visit to Morocco, ASCAME President concluded his agenda with a series of high-level visits in Tangier and Tetouan, including strategic institutions and key economic actors of the region. The day began with a visit to the Tanger Med Port Authority, where the Director General, Mr. Idriss Aarabi, presented the port’s strategic relevance. Recognised as the leading port in the Mediterranean and the largest in Africa, Tanger Med handles approximately 20% of global maritime traffic and has a capacity exceeding 60 million containers. Its advanced connectivity and operational efficiency position it as a major logistics and industrial hub, playing a pivotal role in Morocco’s economic development and global competitiveness. Dr. Santacreu was accompanied by his Diplomatic Adviser, Mr. Koussay Boulaich, and the Vice President of the Tangier–Tetouan–Al Hoceima Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Abdelhamid Hssisen.
The programme continued in Tetouan with a visit to the Regional Foundation for Training and Development, which hosts the Mediterranean Specialised Institute of Management. This vocational training centre offers programmes in administrative management, accounting and commercial services, and has been set up to expand its academic offer with a new degree in data science and artificial intelligence. Dr. Santacreu was welcomed by Mr. Saeed Shafiq, Director of the Institute, and Mr. Kassimi Maouhib, President of the Foundation. Both entities, affiliated with the Tangier–Tetouan–Al Hoceima Chamber of Commerce, play a key role in enhancing youth employability and strengthening the region’s human capital.
The visit concluded with an official reception hosted by the Mayor of Tetouan and President of the Commune, Mr. Mustafa El Bakouri, together with deputy mayors and the Mayor’s Adviser, Ms. Najlaa Shaara. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Tangier–Tetouan–Al Hoceima Chamber of Commerce and members of its team, as well as Mr. Boulaich.
Discussions provided an opportunity to review the significant transformations experienced by Tetouan in terms of industrial development and infrastructure, while highlighting the importance of fostering investment and reinforcing the city’s position as an emerging economic hub in the region.