"We were deeply impressed by the Kingdom's swift and determined response" to this natural disaster, stressed Pimenta at the opening of a conference on creative industries in Africa, held as part of the Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund being held in Marrakech (October 09-15).

"Holding this event at this particular time testifies to the Kingdom of Morocco's commitment to supporting its people and keeping economic development plans on track", noted the official from IFC, a World Bank organization dedicated to the private sector.

With regard to the creative industries, Pimenta pointed out that this sector represents an economic force of 2,000 billion dollars and employs 50 million people worldwide, nearly half of whom are women.

IFC has invested and mobilized around $500 million in the creative industries since the organization began focusing on this area around a year ago, he said, adding that Africa is a key market in this field.

"Although Africa's creative industries generate $4.2 billion a year, they occupy only a marginal place on the world market, accounting for just 2.9% of exports of creative products," he lamented, stressing that these industries should be developed to help the Continent achieve its Sustainable Development Goals.