Speaking at the Summit, initiated by the Franco-Arab Chamber of Commerce (CCFA), Benchaâboun stressed that France-Morocco ties are built on “a shared vision, resolutely focused on the future”.

In this respect, he pointed out that the Declaration inked by His Majesty King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron, during his state visit to Morocco last October, sets out clear commitments to modernize and innovate both countries' economies, while building on “a historic partnership” that has resulted in numerous large-scale projects, and helped conclude several major economic agreements.

This “renewed” partnership, he said, “enables us to go beyond national borders and extend to the entire African continent”. “As such, France and Morocco are showing that bilateral cooperation can be a lever for regional and global impact”, Benchaâboun pointed out.

He also stressed the need to think “outside the box”, noting that today's challenges demand new solutions, adding that “for several decades, Morocco has built its development model around a mixed investment system, in which the State plays a pivotal role as investor.

Furthermore, the senior Moroccan official affirmed that the potential for relations between Arab countries and France is “enormous,” stressing that France should play “a strategic role” in boosting and enshrining economic and trade relations between Arab countries and the European Union, “despite trade policy being the sole jurisdiction of the EU”.

“We expect France to stand as an influential facilitator in translating economic ambitions of Arab countries into European mechanisms”, said Benchaâboun.

He concluded: “Let us draw inspiration from success stories, such as the France-Morocco partnership, to build together a future where prosperity, stability and justice are accessible to all. Together, let us write a new page in France-Arab relations, a page marked by cooperation, solidarity and shared ambition”.