Morocco has solidified its position as a strategic market for Valencian companies, as highlighted by key players such as Baleària, Grupo Erum, and InCom Composites during a roundtable discussion focused on Valencian enterprises established in the North African nation. This event was part of the business meeting titled "Exploring Morocco: Keys to Investing and Growing in Africa from the Valencian Community," organized by the Confederación Empresarial de la Comunitat Valenciana (CEV) and the Consejo de Cámaras de la Comunitat Valenciana.
The gathering attracted institutional representatives, business organizations, and companies from both Spain and Morocco, aiming to strengthen economic ties, forge new alliances, and showcase the commercial and investment opportunities that Morocco presents to the Valencian production sector.
Fostering Client Relationships and Enhancing Proximity
During the roundtable moderated by Marta Blanco, president of the CEOE International Relations Committee, key figures from the industry shared their experiences. Adolfo Utor, president of Baleària; Carlos Mulero, general director of Erum Maroc from Grupo Erum; and Juan Antonio Vidal, director of InCom Composites, discussed their motivations for expanding into Morocco, the challenges they encountered, and the strategic advantages they discovered. Mulero emphasized that the primary reason for Erum's establishment in Morocco was to accompany their clients. He stated, "Morocco was becoming a production hub for our clients, and we needed to be there." This move allowed the company to enhance its proximity to key markets and reduce response times to Europe, turning Morocco into a base for exporting to other countries.
Mulero highlighted the strategic significance of the Tanger Med infrastructure, which he described as a gateway to the world. He noted that Morocco offers opportunities for both large corporations and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), but cautioned that establishing a presence in the country requires thorough preparation and support. He advised companies looking to enter the Moroccan market to rely on institutions like ICEX, as well as the Spanish commercial offices in Casablanca and Rabat, and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce.
Juan Antonio Vidal shared the journey of InCom Composites, a firm specializing in manufacturing components for wind turbine blades. The company entered Morocco during the pandemic in September 2020 with 15 employees and a revenue of 300,000 euros. Currently, InCom Composites has expanded to its third facility, employs nearly 300 workers, and continues to see growing revenues. Vidal stressed the importance of properly preparing a project before entering the market, stating, "Identifying the key players who can assist you and those who may take advantage is crucial." He acknowledged that while mistakes are inevitable, investing time in the preparatory phase is essential to mitigate errors.
Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of local talent, noting that "the key is talent. We have 299 Moroccan colleagues on this journey." He also discussed the necessity of understanding the local business culture and adapting to its operational methods.
Strengthening Maritime Connections
Adolfo Utor from Baleària positioned maritime connectivity at the heart of the economic relationship between Spain and Morocco. "We are dedicated to connecting territories. We connect Morocco with Spain, and that is our mission," he explained. Baleària entered the Moroccan market in 2003 amidst regulated traffic and growing demand. Utor recalled the challenges faced in the early years but highlighted the transformation Morocco has undergone, particularly in areas like Tangier. He affirmed, "The relationship between Morocco and Spain would not exist without ships," underscoring the importance of ports as vital infrastructures that require maritime operators to sustain passenger and cargo flows. Baleària plans to operate 16 vessels between the two countries this summer, balancing passenger traffic with cargo transportation. Additionally, the company is working on a green corridor project between Tarifa and Tangier, featuring two electric ships, which will necessitate the electrification of both ports. Utor indicated that one of the vessels will be named Morocco 2030 and the other Spain 2030, referencing the World Cup that both countries will co-host with Portugal.
The event also showcased the economic relationship between Morocco and the Valencian Community, with figures revealing that in 2025, exports from the Valencian Community to Morocco reached 854 million euros, while imports totaled around 560 million euros. Morocco has emerged as the fourth largest market for the Valencian Community outside the European Union and as its tenth largest non-EU supplier. Furthermore, over 600 Valencian companies regularly export to the Moroccan market, reflecting the maturity of trade ties between the two regions.
Fadoua Ouallal, head of Coordination & Support Investment at AMDIE, highlighted that Morocco offers Valencian companies a logistical platform to access other international markets. She emphasized the country's stability, robust infrastructure network, access to international trade agreements, and its potential as a gateway to Africa. Strategic sectors identified include education, logistics, infrastructure, renewable energies, automotive, tourism, and agro-food industry. Furthermore, Morocco is preparing for the 2030 World Cup with investments in airports, transportation, and infrastructure in major cities.
The event concluded with B2B meetings between companies from both countries, aimed at generating commercial contacts, identifying shared projects, and reinforcing an economic bridge that is gaining significance in the international strategy of Valencian enterprises.
As reported by economia3.com.
