Kazakhstan Inaugurates Honorary Consulate in Marrakech
On Wednesday, Kazakhstan marked a significant diplomatic milestone by inaugurating its honorary consulate in Marrakech, a ceremony presided over by Saulekul Sailaukyzy, the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Kazakhstan to Morocco. The event drew a diverse audience, including local and regional officials, representatives from the business sector, academia, and members of the diplomatic community, all of whom gathered to celebrate this important development in bilateral relations.
Younes Essassi, the chairman and founder of Anfa Realties Group, has been appointed as the honorary consul, responsible for the jurisdiction of Marrakech. His role is pivotal, as it encompasses the safeguarding of the rights and interests of Kazakh citizens residing in or visiting the region. Moreover, he is tasked with fostering closer connections among economic, institutional, cultural, and tourism stakeholders from both Kazakhstan and Morocco, establishing a foundation for mutual growth.
Deepening Bilateral Relations and Economic Cooperation
Ambassador Sailaukyzy characterized the inauguration as a vital step in enhancing Kazakhstan’s consular presence in Morocco. She emphasized that this closer representation will facilitate deeper ties between the two nations and bolster bilateral cooperation across various sectors. The newly established office is designed to serve as a facilitator for local business interactions, support collaborative initiatives, and uncover investment opportunities, thereby creating “new bridges” between Kazakhstan and Morocco.
The ambassador also highlighted the longstanding relationship between the two countries, which dates back to May 26, 1992. She recalled significant milestones, such as the establishment of Kazakhstan’s embassy in Rabat in December 2020 and the upcoming implementation of a reciprocal visa exemption policy, effective March 2025, allowing stays of up to 30 days. Furthermore, the formation of a Kazakhstan-Morocco Business Council underscores the commitment to enhancing economic ties.
The choice of Marrakech for the consulate's location reflects a strategic decision, given the city's role as a hub for tourism, culture, and commerce, further amplifying its international significance. Essassi expressed his pride in this appointment and pledged to leverage his entrepreneurial expertise and understanding of Morocco's business environment to enhance collaboration between the two nations.
The consulate will work in close partnership with Kazakhstan’s embassy in Morocco, focusing on promoting economic exchanges, supporting bilateral initiatives, and fostering new partnerships between Moroccan and Kazakh businesses. Its offices are located within Les Villas d’Anfa Marrakech, the first real estate project established by Anfa Realties Group in the city. This inauguration symbolizes the creation of a collaborative space that embodies both governments’ aspirations to cultivate enduring connections.
The opening of the consulate follows a significant event in Casablanca, where the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) recently launched the Morocco-Kazakhstan Business Council. This meeting, chaired by CGEM President Mehdi Tazi and attended by Kazakh Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Alibek Kuantyrov, highlighted the impressive 68% growth in trade between the two countries since 2021, which now exceeds $460 million, indicating substantial potential for further expansion.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
