News
Wednesday 19 November 2014

The 5th Global Entrepreneurship Summit - Marrakech 2014

Vocal synthesis
The 5th Global Entrepreneurship Summit

Morocco, Gateway To Africa, Says Senior US Official

US administrator for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Maria Contreras-Sweet hailed Friday in Marrakech Morocco’s important role in Africa's development, saying Kingdom is a gateway to develop the African continent.

On the sidelines of the 5th Global Entrepreneurship Summit (2014GES) in Marrakesh, the senior US official told MAP: "We are so pleased that Morocco came forward to sponsor this event. From the American view, Morocco is the gateway to develop the continent of Africa".

Contreras-Sweet said in Morocco, there are "so many men and women who have wonderful ideas" for entrepreneurial projects which can work both in Morocco and elsewhere in the world.

 

She further highlighted the important contribution of SMEs for economic recovery, noting that two-thirds of the jobs created in the United States are coming from the small and medium business community.  

MAP 21 November 2014

Marrakech GES-2014: Biden Launches J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative

 US Vice President Joe Biden announced, here Thursday, the launch of the J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative to promote exchanges between American and MENA region youth.

   Launched in honor of Christopher Stevens, former US ambassador to Libya killed in September 2012 in Benghazi, the initiative, which will kick off in Morocco with the launch of a pilot project early 2015, aims to enhance the capacity of young people to take up local and global challenges through promoting their connectivity, Biden said in a speech at the opening ceremony of the 5th Global entrepreneurship summit, held in Marrakech on November 19-21.

 

   The United States are committed to the emergence of a new generation of open and future-oriented young people, the US vice-president said, adding that this initiative, the result of a multilateral partnership between private and public sectors, will contribute to consolidating bonds between young people in the USA and the MENA region, building on the valuable contribution of new information technologies.

 

   In this respect, the program will strive to lay the groundwork for exchanges between young people especially in the field of education. More than a million young people will benefit from this initiative whose ultimate goal is to overcome the problems related to misunderstanding.

 

   The US vice-president said, in this context, that a number of countries have expressed their desire to partner with the United States in this initiative.

 

   So far, Morocco, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have signed financial commitments totaling more than $ 31 million over the next five years as part of the initiative, which will involve foundations and private sector partners, Biden said.

 

   Joe Biden, who led the US delegation to the 5th Global Entrepreneurship Summit, had also met with young entrepreneurs taking part in this international summit on the challenges of innovation, free enterprise and sustainable development.

 

   GES-2014 is bringing together over 3000 entrepreneurs, together with heads of state, high level government officials, global entrepreneurs, small medium enterprises (SMEs), corporate leaders, and young entrepreneurs.

 

 

   There is also an "Innovation Village" where entrepreneurs and innovators from Africa and around the world can promote their projects and share new ideas on myriad topics including ICT, water management, and alternative energy.

MAP 20 November 2014

US Official Says Next GES To Be Held In Sub-Saharan Country

The 6th Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) will be held in a sub-Saharan country, Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator of the Small Business Administration, announced here Friday.

The host country of the next sub-Saharan GES will be announced "soon by President Barack Obama," said the US official during the closing ceremony of the 5th Global Entrepreneurship Summit.

MAP 21 November 2014

USD 50 Million Startup Fund Will Soon Be Launched To Support Innovative Enterprises: Minister

 A 50 million dollars seed and startup fund will be launched soon in order to support innovative enterprises, Morocco’s minister of Economy and Finance Mohamed Boussaid announced.

  "We are setting up together with the World Bank a seed and startup fund of $ 50 million which will be launched in the coming weeks or months", Boussaid said Thursday during a meeting on the sidelines of the 5th fifth Global Entrepreneurship Summit (2014 GES in Marrakech.

   The minister added that the seed and venture fund will benefit to entrepreneurs and innovative enterprises with specific funding needs and provide them with technical support in order to limits risk linked to this kind of startups, urging banks to develop startup-based funding modes for such enterprises.

 

   For his part, Attijariwafa Bank CEO Mohamed El Kettani noted that supporting startups, particularly SMEs and SMIs, is one of the priorities of his bank.

MAP 21 November 2014

Morocco, Babson Global Sign MoU On 'Enterprise City' Project

 The Moroccan government and the US institution Babson Global signed Thursday in Marrakech a Memorandum of understanding to conduct a feasibility study on the establishment in the Kingdom of "Enterprise City", a city dedicated to business.

  The Memorandum was signed on the sidelines of the 5th Global Entrepreneurship Summit (2014 GES) in Marrakesh, by Morocco's  minister of Industry, Trade, Investment and the Digital Economy Moulay Hafid Elalamy, the chairwoman of Babson Global Kerry Healey and its Director Shanker Singham.

   The feasibility study is meant to measure the socio-economic impacts of the "Enterprise City" project and define a concept adapted to specific local needs.

  The project is in line with the Moroccan government's efforts to ensure a favorable environment to develop entrepreneurship as a driving force of sustainable economic growth

 

   A subsidiary of Babson College, Gabson Global is an independent, not-for-profit institution with solid expertise in entrepreneurship development.

MAP 21 November 2014

South African Businessman Says Morocco, South Africa, Well Placed To Serve As Locomotive For Africa Development

 Morocco and South Africa, given their development level, are well placed to serve as a locomotive for the economic development of the African continent, south African group Raizcorp CEO Allon Raiz said.

   "Strengthening cooperation ties between Morocco and South Africa, two nations that have developed extensive experience in various economic areas, can only be beneficial for Africa, a continent seeking more investment to ensure economic growth, generator of wealth and jobs", he told MAP on the sidelines of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES 2014), held in Marrakech on November 19-21.

 

   Morocco, with its long history and proximity to Europe, has developed an expertise that can constitute the basis of complementarity with South Africa, the businessman said, stressing that this complementarity will largely benefit not only the two countries, but the entire African continent.

 

   This complementarity will give the two African powers a force that is mutually beneficial and encouraging for further economic integration in Africa, he said, hailing the importance that Morocco attaches to strengthening cooperation relations with African countries.

 

   Regarding the fields where the two countries can cooperate, Raiz cited the agriculture, noting that Morocco has made significant progress in this field through an ambitious development strategy, in an allusion to Green Morocco Plan.

 

   Moroccan experience can be shared with African countries, including South Africa, a major exporter of agricultural products, he said, citing other promising sectors such as technology and financial services.

 

   Entrepreneurship, which is the subject of extensive discussions at the GES Marrakech, is another field where Morocco and South Africa can work together to strengthen their position as locomotives in the continent, he noted, stressing the importance of the Marrakesh summit, which has allowed for fruitful exchanges between participants from different backgrounds.

 

   GES-2014 is bringing together over 3000 entrepreneurs, together with heads of state, high level government officials, global entrepreneurs, small medium enterprises (SMEs), corporate leaders, and young entrepreneurs.

 

 

   There is also an "Innovation Village" where entrepreneurs and innovators from Africa and around the world can promote their projects and share new ideas on myriad topics including ICT, water management, and alternative energy.

MAP 20 November 2014

Guinean President Expresses Gratitude To HM The King For Morocco's Support To His Country

  Guinean President Alpha Condé expressed Thursday in Marrakech his gratitude to HM King Mohammed VI for Morocco's "unfailing" support to his country.

   "Guinea is grateful to HM King Mohammed VI and the Kingdom of Morocco for the unfailing support towards the Guinean people who went through difficult economic circumstances", president Condé said in his remarks at the opening of the 5th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (2014 Marrakesh GES).

    During the opening session which was attended by US Vice President Joe Biden, Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba and Morocco's head of government Abdelilah Benkirane, the Guinean President added that Morocco provided Guinea with substantial support in addressing development and security challenges as well in dealing with the Ebola outbreak.

    Condé, in other respects, emphasized the need for African countries to develop a new economic development vision in order to attract more foreign investments.

 

    Held under the Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, the 5th GES is held under the theme "Harnessing the Power of Technology for Innovation and Entrepreneurship".

MAP 20 November 2014

HM The King: Morocco "Proud" That GES Summit Is Held For 1st Time In Africa

  HM King Mohammed VI stressed on Thursday that Morocco is proud that the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) is held for the first time in the African continent.

 

         "We are proud that this Summit, which was launched in 2009 by President Barack Obama, is being held for the first time on African soil, thereby confirming the calling and ambition of the Kingdom, for which the promotion of its partnership with the African Continent is a well thought-out, irreversible choice", said the Sovereign in a message read out at the opening session by head of government Abdelilah Benkirane.

 

The Sovereign also noted that "in keeping with its core values and basic principles, Morocco believes wholeheartedly in the Summit’s objectives," pointing out that the Kingdom "has been devoting its energies to promoting human and sustainable development and investing in entrepreneurship."

"My country also encourages the sharing of expertise and know-how in addition to the optimization of complementarities, particularly between the countries of the South", went on the royal message.

The sovereign also urged African governments to "instill self-confidence in our young people so that they can believe in their ability to learn and to become entrepreneurs", stressing the need to "nurture positive examples and turn success stories into models to emulate."

"We must not confuse technological innovation with technical sophistication", argued HM the King who explained that "the so-called low-tech innovations - just like more sophisticated technologies - can help us meet specific needs, especially in developing countries."

The sovereign further pointed out that "innovations of this kind are often helpful in terms of supporting social development and improving the well-being of the population", insisting that "innovation must not be the exclusive privilege of the rich and the upper classes."

"Entrepreneurs may also want to turn their attention to low-income consumers, by offering them products and services that are both profitable and tailored to their needs", HM the King recommended citing the telecommunications sector in Africa in which "through ingenuity and local innovation, specific services and innovative applications have been developed, to the great satisfaction of users."

 

The royal message concluded by congratulating "all those who have helped make new interactions possible, here in Marrakech today, between policy makers, economic operators, civil society, academics and the media" and expressed satisfaction that the encounter "has brought together a large number of project developers, investors and young entrepreneurs from various backgrounds."

MAP 

Joe Biden Reaffirms In Marrakesh United States' Determination To Strengthen Partnership With Morocco

  US vice president Joe Biden reiterated on Thursday in Marrakesh his country's determination to strengthen partnership relations with Morocco, particularly in promoting entrepreneurship and innovation.

  The United States stands ready to strengthen partnership with Morocco, Biden said in his remarks at the official opening of the 5th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (2014 Marrakesh GES), recalling that Morocco was the first country to recognize the United States of America back in 1777.

   US Vice-President announced the US government decision to invest nearly $ 50 million under the Millennium Challenge programme to support Morocco's strategy in vocational training.

   The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) will invest nearly $ 50 million to support Morocco's strategy in vocational training as part of public-private partnerships, Biden said, noting that this new project aims to develop the skills of young people and help them meet the job market needs.

   To date, some $ 700 million have been invested in projects in Morocco through the MCC, the US vice president recalled, noting that the Moroccan government and MCC will begin next January exploring new public-private partnerships in the area of training.

   Biden also announced the creation in Morocco of an academy for entrepreneurs training, a partnership between the US government and the Volvo company to train annually 150 entrepreneurs from Morocco, Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal. 

   Training will focus mainly on technology and industry in order to appropriately prepare future entrepreneurs to meet the new challenges of the job market.

   The US vice president also revealed that his government, in partnership with Spain, will provide Morocco with a $ 7 million credit guarantee to fund a new storage facility project in the Tanger-Med port in order to boost Morocco's agricultural exports to key markets.

   Regarding the first operations of the new Global Entrepreneurship Network which will be launched in Morocco, the US official said Washington will dedicate $ 1 billion to support the private sector in several countries over the next three years and expand economic opportunities, particularly for women and young people.

 

   Held under the Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, the 5th GES is held under the theme "Harnessing the Power of Technology for Innovation and Entrepreneurship".  

MAP 20 November 2014

Marrakech GES-2014: BMCE Bank Announces Million-Dollar African Entrepreneurship Award

  BMCE Bank Group CEO, Othman Benjelloun, announced, here Thursday, a one million dollar African Entrepreneurship Award.

   This award will be established in partnership with internationally-recognized stakeholders, Benjelloun said at a panel held within the framework of the 5th Global Entrepreneurship Summit (November 19-21) under the theme "Harnessing the Power of Technology for Innovation and Entrepreneurship".

 

   Underlining that this award is a contribution to promote the spirit of partnership in Africa, BMCE Bank Group CEO said it will be granted annually to young African entrepreneurs.

 

   "The first prize will be awarded in 2015," he said, announcing that "the conditions to apply for the award will be posted shortly on the website of BMCE Bank."

 

   A jury of prestigious figures from around the world will decide the winner of the African Entrepreneurship Award, he added.

 

   During his participation at this panel, Benjelloun presented the success story of BMCE Bank Group, and its international expansion, particularly in Africa.

 

   GES-2014 is bringing together over 3000 entrepreneurs, together with heads of state, high level government officials, global entrepreneurs, small medium enterprises (SMEs), corporate leaders, and young entrepreneurs.

 

 

   There is also an "Innovation Village" where entrepreneurs and innovators from Africa and around the world can promote their projects and share new ideas on myriad topics including ICT, water management, and alternative energy.

MAP 20 November 2014

 

Marrakech GES-2014: Biden Launches J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative

   US Vice President Joe Biden announced, here Thursday, the launch of the J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative to promote exchanges between American and MENA region youth.

 

   Launched in honor of Christopher Stevens, former US ambassador to Libya killed in September 2012 in Benghazi, the initiative, which will kick off in Morocco with the launch of a pilot project early 2015, aims to enhance the capacity of young people to take up local and global challenges through promoting their connectivity, Biden said in a speech at the opening ceremony of the 5th Global entrepreneurship summit, held in Marrakech on November 19-21.

 

   The United States are committed to the emergence of a new generation of open and future-oriented young people, the US vice-president said, adding that this initiative, the result of a multilateral partnership between private and public sectors, will contribute to consolidating bonds between young people in the USA and the MENA region, building on the valuable contribution of new information technologies.

 

   In this respect, the program will strive to lay the groundwork for exchanges between young people especially in the field of education. More than a million young people will benefit from this initiative whose ultimate goal is to overcome the problems related to misunderstanding.

 

   The US vice-president said, in this context, that a number of countries have expressed their desire to partner with the United States in this initiative.

 

   So far, Morocco, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have signed financial commitments totaling more than $ 31 million over the next five years as part of the initiative, which will involve foundations and private sector partners, Biden said.

 

   Joe Biden, who led the US delegation to the 5th Global Entrepreneurship Summit, had also met with young entrepreneurs taking part in this international summit on the challenges of innovation, free enterprise and sustainable development.

 

   GES-2014 is bringing together over 3000 entrepreneurs, together with heads of state, high level government officials, global entrepreneurs, small medium enterprises (SMEs), corporate leaders, and young entrepreneurs.

 

   There is also an "Innovation Village" where entrepreneurs and innovators from Africa and around the world can promote their projects and share new ideas on myriad topics including ICT, water management, and alternative energy.

MAP 20 November 2014

US Official Says Morocco Is 'Major Economic Player' In Middle East, Africa

  Morocco is positioning itself as a major economic player in the Middle East and Africa, said Andrew Rabens, special adviser for global youth issues at the US Department of State.

   "In seeking to establish economic and trade relations with both North African countries and Sub-Saharan countries, Morocco is positioning itself as a major economic player in the Middle East but also in Africa", Rabens told MAP on the sidelines of the 5th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES 2014/Nov. 19-21, Marrakesh).

   Referring to the "GES Youth meeting", an initiative that brought together some 70 young entrepreneurs from around the world, the US official noted that the aim was to share good practices and experiences in the area of entrepreneurship.    

   In this context, Rabens highlighted the entrepreneurial mindset of the Moroccan youth, underlining the positive impact of this momentum on job creation and economic take-off in Morocco. 

 

   Held under the Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, the 5th edition of GES is initiated under the theme "Harnessing the Power of Technology for Innovation and Entrepreneurship".

MAP 20 November 2014

Gabonese President In Morocco To Take Part In 2014 GES

Gabonese president Ali Bongo Ondimba arrived early on Thursday in Marrakesh to take part in the 5th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit held on November 19-21 in the red city.

On his arrival at the Marrakesh-Menara airport, Gabonese head of state was welcomed by Morocco’s head of government Abdelilah Benkirane.

MAP 20 November 2014

2014 Global Entrepreneurship Summit Officially Opens In Marrakesh

  The fifth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES 2014) officially opened Thursday in Marrakesh in the presence of high level delegations from around the world.

   Held under the patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, the opening session of this global forum was marked by the reading of a message from HM King Mohammed VI to the participants in this summit.

    During this global conference, held for the first time in an African country, participants will to address several issues, including exploiting technology potential to boost innovation and entrepreneurship. 

   Several workshops will be organized on the sidelines of this summit with a special focus on entrepreneurship themes, such as smart cities, social entrepreneurship, innovation, health professions, agriculture and food security.

   The works of the 2014 GES were launched Wednesday with a special tribute to women entrepreneurs by celebrating the "Women's Entrepreneurship Day" (WED/Nov. 19), a global movement to celebrate, empower and support women entrepreneurs worldwide.

 

 US president Barack Obama had announced the holding of this forum for the first time on African soil, during his speech at the US Africa Business Forum last August as part of the first USA-Africa Summit.

MAP 20 November 2014

Joe Biden Praises Morocco's Advances In Women's Rights Under Leadership Of HM King Mohammed VI

 Joe Biden, wife of US Vice-President Joe Biden, praised, here Wednesday, Morocco's advances in women's rights under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI.

   Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Women's Entrepreneurship Day, part of the 5th Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES Marrakech, November 19-21), Joe Biden reiterated the commitment of the United States "to support the actions of women and girls to help them not only to survive, but thrive in their communities."

   In this regard, she called for encouraging countries to implement policies aimed at promoting the rights of women and their full and complete integration in different sectors.

   Stating Morocco as an example, Mrs. Biden underlined the importance of the new Family Code, which has upgraded the civil rights of women both in society and the family, saying that she is "very impressed with the Women's education and training Center, built in the district of Hay Mohammadi in Marrakech as part of the National Initiative for Human Development, as well as the involvement of women in the work of this social institution".

    Joe Biden, who arrived Wednesday, to take part in the GES-2014, visited the same day the Centre, which provides training to women and girls to have access to income-generating activities.

MAP 19 November 2014

Bouaida Says Holding GES In Morocco, Implementation Of Roadmap To Promote Moroccan-American Partnership

  The 5th Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES-2014), held on November 19-21 in Marrakech, is part of the implementation of the roadmap to promote strategic partnership between Morocco and the United States, Minister delegate for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mbarka Bouaida said Wednesday.

   The visit of US Vice-President Joe Biden to Morocco and the participation of the US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker at the 5th Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES-2014) reflect the commitment of both countries to "further consolidate their partnership relations," she stressed at a press conference.

 

   "We work together to strengthen our strategic dialogue", the minister said, adding that bilateral meetings are scheduled with US officials on the sidelines of this global event of entrepreneurship and innovation.

 

   Holding the GES-2014 in Morocco also offers the opportunity for further discussions with many other friendly countries, she said, noting that Marrakech summit will also strengthen Morocco's position as an entrepreneurship and innovation hub and strengthen the position of the Kingdom as an emerging country on the global political and economic scene.

 

   Bouaida also highlighted the kingdom's will to give more substance to the economic diplomacy as a lever of great importance to intensify the kingdom's status.

 

   GES-2014 is bringing together over 3000 entrepreneurs, together with heads of state, high level government officials, global entrepreneurs, small medium enterprises (SMEs), corporate leaders, and young entrepreneurs.

 

 

   There is also an "Innovation Village" where entrepreneurs and innovators from Africa and around the world can promote their projects and share new ideas on myriad topics including ICT, water management, and alternative energy.

MAP 19 November 2014

 

US Secretary Of Commerce Hails HM The King’s Leadership In Encouraging Entrepreneurship, Women Entrepreneurs

US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker hailed Wednesday the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI in encouraging entrepreneurship and women entrepreneurs, noting that Morocco’s achievements in this area are "truly fantastic".

 

 Speaking on the sidelines of the 5th edition Global Entrepreneurship Summit (Nov.19-21 in Marrakesh), Pritzker said she was "delighted" to take part in this international event, the first of its kind in the African continent.

The US senior official also welcomed the efforts made by Morocco to enhance business climate as part of an "absolutely attractive approach" for the American business community, especially in light of the 2006 free trade agreement between Rabat and Washington which is a foundation for further business partnerships.

US Secretary of Commerce highlighted US businesses readiness to invest in Morocco, a country with favorable business environment, as evidenced by the presence in the Kingdom of some 150 US companies which ensure around 100,000 jobs.

In this respect, she noted that Morocco attracts both large multinational corporations and small US companies that provide their services and expertise.  

Concerning Morocco’s win-win partnership strategy in Africa, Pritzker said that Morocco and the US can "certainly" work together in order to strengthen this virtuous circle, thanks to HM the King’s vision to make the Kingdom Africa’s hub and a gateway.

 

US Secretary of Commerce said she appreciates the role of Moroccan women entrepreneurs as evidenced by the strong female participation in the GES in Marrakesh, recalling in this context that the Obama administration works to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in the world.

MAP 19 November 2014

2014 Global Entrepreneurship Summit Opens In Marrakesh With Warm Tribute To Women Entrepreneurs Morocco-GES-Women

The fifth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES 2014) opened Wednesday in Marrakesh with a special tribute to women entrepreneurs by launching the "Women's entrepreneurship Day" (WED/Nov. 19), a global movement to celebrate, empower and support women entrepreneurs worldwide.

MAP 19 November 2014

US Vice President Joe Biden Arrives In Marrakesh To Take Part In 5th Global Entrepreneurship Summit

US Vice President Joe Biden arrived Wednesday in Marrakech to take part in the fifth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) (Nov. 19-21).

US vice president, accompanied by his wife Jill Biden, was welcomed at the airport by Morocco's head of government Abdelilah Benkirane and US ambassador to Morocco Dwight Bush. 

Biden is leading a very important US delegation to the fifth edition of GES held under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI.

US president Barack Obama had announced the holding of this forum for the first time on African soil, during his speech at the US Africa Business Forum last August as part of the first USA-Africa Summit.

MAP 19 November 2014

Guinea Conakry President Arrives In Marrakech To Take Part In 5th Global Entrepreneurship Summit

President of the Republic of Guinea-Conakry, Alpha Condé, arrived Tuesday in Marrakech, to take part in the 5th Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), held under the patronage of HM King Mohammed VI on November 19-21.

Upon his arrival at Marrakech-Menara International Airport, the Guinean President was welcomed by the Head of Government Abdelilah Benkirane.

MAP 18 November 2014

GES Marrakech 2014: Marrakech, World Capital Of SME's And Innovating Partnership

At least 3,000 entrepreneurs, high-ranking government officials, heads of state and young entrepreneurs from all over the world will get together in Marrakech this November 19-21 for the 5th Global Entrepreneurship Summit, GES-2014, a major global platform, held for the first time in an African country, "to empower entrepreneurs with the skills and resources necessary to compete and thrive in the 21st century".

Held under the high patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, under the theme of "harnessing the power of technology for innovation and entrepreneurship", the Marrakech conference "reflects the role that the Kingdom of Morocco plays in the overall economic development of the African continent and its leadership in supporting entrepreneurship and integration of youth and women in the economy.

Launched in 2009 by US president Barack Obama, the GES seeks to lay bridges between entrepreneurs, banks, fund-donors and investors from the USA and Muslim communities worldwide.

After the first summit held in Washington DC in 2010, followed by those of Dubai, Istanbul, and Kuala Lumpur, Marrakech was selected to host the 5th GES, in accordance with an agreement between HM the King and President Obama in November 2013 in the USA.

For Moroccan delegate-minister of foreign affairs and cooperation Mbarka Bouaida, the holding of this summit illustrates "the excellence of Morocco-US bonds and is part of the strategic dialog between the two countries. The choice of Morocco as a venue for this summit is not fortuitous", she stressed.

 "As an emerging country, Morocco boasts an exceptional model to share and promote, in terms of political stability and pertinence of socio-economic and human choices", she went on, noting that the Kingdom enjoys political and social stability and is conducting deep economic and political reforms to establish the rule of law and improve its economic competitiveness.

As a result of sector-focused strategies, Morocco has emerged as a reference in new sectors such as car and aeronautical industry, renewable energies, electric and pharmaceutical industries and offshoring, explained the official who also pointed out that strategic development plans also exist for conventional sectors such as tourism and agriculture as well as a vision for the 20 coming years.

Morocco also stands out as a major stakeholder in the new African momentum. In addition to centuries-old ties with several countries of the continent, Morocco is adopting a clear and constant vision of South-South partnership, as a factor of progress, growth and development for the local populations.

The GES 2014 is a global platform to trade ideas and experiences, an invitation to open up to the world, find out about new opportunities and conclude sound alliances between economic operators of the world.

The summit features several events:  the "Women’s Entrepreneurship Day", bringing together women entrepreneurs, the awarding of the Global Innovation through Science and Technology Prize to stimulate innovation and technological entrepreneurship through social media and the "Student challenge" initiative with the participation of 300 Moroccan and sub-Saharan African countries.

MAP 17 November 2014