Saloua Karkri Ep Belkeziz, Président Afrique, INETUM

ASMEX is a gathering of companies looking to leverage Morocco’s strengths to take full advantage of the latest technological trends and boost their exports.

How would you characterize the potential of the digital acceleration in Morocco with regard to the export of IT and digital services?

There are two sides to this: the digital side and exports. I agreed to take on this responsibility as chairman of the commission because, in the coming years, the issue at stake is Africa’s integration and that of its economy. It is an important market, both in terms of products and services. Since the integration of Africa, and thanks to His Majesty’s policy put in place by the private sector, Africa comprises 42% of Morocco’s FDI flows. We have already signed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. This is an important opportunity for both the development of exports and for Africa, and there is synergy between the various countries that is beginning to develop their positions along the global value chain. Africa has an abundance of raw materials and young people, and, in Morocco, we are equally fortunate in the industrial, automotive, and food processing sectors, and more. Bringing our industry together with the materials found in sub-Saharan Africa, we can make real industrial projects emerge. This is a growth opportunity for the middle class, and one to foster inclusive development by reducing the gender gap in Africa. My leadership has developed in terms of resilience, as COVID-19 has had a definite negative impact on many sectors in in Morocco. For this to happen, we will make the most of each sub-Saharan country’s export opportunities through several processes, including digitalization. On the business front, we have specialist consultants who can offer insights into each country. We are in the process of organizing missions. In addition, we have chosen a major consulting firm to support our members through technical assistance. Our aim is to remove all barriers between countries, so as to create a market that is unique, important, and is a world player in terms of materials, products, and services. We are, therefore, working on this production, or value chain, which will foster the creation of an integrated Africa, with a productive, job-abounding, inclusive economy.

What main countries do you currently export to?

Outside Morocco in general, the majority are French-speaking countries because of the Arabic-language culture, in total around 25 countries, or where Moroccan companies are already exporting, such as Mali, Senegal, Ivory Coast, or in Central Africa, such as Cameroon and Gabon. There is also infrastructure and public work in place, as well as real estate. The pharmaceutical industry is also a strong performer. Many Moroccan companies have invested in credit or have created digital production units. We also have companies with subsidiaries in Africa. For example, when I was president of PBI from 2016 to 2020, our group launched a rather interesting initiative: the Africa IT Expo, a major trade fair that aided small businesses in approaching these markets and, thanks to these initiatives, enabled them to start exporting.

What are your goals for ASMEX in 2021?

We have a highly ambitious program this year. From March, we will be starting virtual B2B trade fairs. Most importantly, we must put the initial guidelines into practice from the research we carried out on products for export. We aim to enter into a program contract with the government because, given that there is an election in 2021, we do not wish anything to be put into question, and we would like to have a long-term program contract over a minimum period of three to five years. For this reason, ASMEX is looking to secure all this business with a program contract that will, in effect, bind our agreements for the next three to five years and prevent a new government or minister from putting these things into question.