The southern provinces of Morocco are a “new focus for French initiatives and strategic plans,” France’s Ambassador to Morocco Christophe Lecourtier said during a visit to Laayoune on Tuesday.
Lecourtier, who is leading a high-level delegation in Morocco this week, said that the goal of the visit is to strengthen France-Morocco collaboration in the areas of culture, economics, society, education, and higher education.
Lecourtier said France intends to promptly launch emerging projects in the region, especially in the economic sphere, as they explore investment opportunities in Laayoune and Dakhla.
He underscored that these efforts align with French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent message to King Mohammed VI, expressing support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara region.
During his visit, the ambassador engaged with key Moroccan officials, including Sidi Hamdi Ould Errachid, president of the Regional Council, and Moulay Hamdi Ould Errachid, president of Laâyoune’s municipal council, to discuss the region’s comprehensive development.
The delegation also met with Abdeslam Bekrate, governor of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region, to explore investment and partnership opportunities.
The ambassador attended an economic roadshow led by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Morocco, attended by approximately fifty French business leaders and executives. The roadshow is intended to foster partnerships with Moroccan project stakeholders and identify concrete investment prospects within the region.
Lecourtier also visited the Paul Pascon French School and several ongoing development projects, where he observed the region’s integrated efforts toward comprehensive growth in Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra.