Rabat: The participation of representatives of local elected officials from the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab and La Syoune-Sakia El Hamra regions in the Moroccan delegation to the 57th United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), held in Addis Ababa on March 12-18, is a strong indication of the interest shown in the Kingdom’s southern regions in the process of regional and continental integration, as well as the determination to diversify and promote their economies,’ President of the Sahara Center for Development Studies and Human Rights Mrabih Rabou Shaibata emphasized.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, thanks to their potential and strategic infrastructure under development, Southern regions of the Kingdom are standing out, in line with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, as the gateway to the construction of a prosperous and united African space, at the service of the continent and its people, Mrabih Rabou Shaibata affirmed, also a local elected official for the La Syoune-Sakia El Hamra r
egion.

This momentum, wished by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, aims to make these regions a strategic hub linking Europe, Africa, America, and the Mediterranean basin, notably through the completion of projects under the Southern Provinces Development Model and the opening of the Tiznit-Dakhla express road linking the African continent via Mauritania, he noted.

In addition, major infrastructure such as the port of Dakhla Atlantique, one of the largest on the continent, the road network, airports, new-generation logistics facilities, and free-trade zones are consolidating this momentum and accelerating the economic integration of these regions, he noted.

Commenting on Morocco’s election to the presidency of the 57th UNECA and the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, the official stated that this nomination reflects the trust put in the Kingdom, as well as the willingness of the international and African community to benefit from its accumulated expertise in key area
s linked to strengthening regional integration between African countries, through the promotion of local economies and openness to large-scale continental initiatives, with a view to ‘Advancing the implementation of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area,’ the theme chosen by the organizers for this year’s event.