As a part of the “Promoting Economic Opportunity in Dakhla and Laayoune” project, MEPI and JAA leadership participated in the first International Investors’ Forum in Dakhla. The forum was sponsored by the President of the Dakhla-Oued-Eddahab Region, and numerous international investors participated, including from Spain, Germany, Switzerland, USA, France, Portugal, Chile, Togo, Burkina Faso, Mexico, Belgium, UK, UAE, among others. The Dakhla International Investment Forum was a great success, and numerous documents were signed for investment in several sectors, job creation, investment promotion, and the creation of investment funds. A highlight of the Forum was remarks from JE Austin Associates’ President Mr. Kevin Murphy, who was invited as the keynote speaker. Mr. Murphy gave a presentation on country branding and suggested such slogans for branding Dakhla, such as “Dakhla is on the (maritime) Map,” “Open for Business,” and “the Time is Now!” These slogans were well received by the audience and repeated throughout the conference by numerous speakers.

J.E. Austin and MEPI were recognized by the Director of the Regional Investment Center who thanked us for our excellent work in Dakhla, including the development of the digital platform of DakhlaConnect.com. He also thanked J.E. Austin for the excellent trainings provided to the women and youth entrepreneurs of Dakhla in Digital Marketing, Human Resources, Finance, etc., and stressed the importance of continuing such trainings for the positive development of youth and women in the region. Finally, he thanked us for the new Dakhla-Market.ma platform to benefit the underprivileged population of women artisans to increase their sales and livelihoods.