Israel, Morocco hold joint innovation conference
Countries sign 13 MOUs to promote joint solutions to common challenges
Start-Up Nation Central, a non-profit that promotes the Israeli innovation ecosystem around the world, held a first-of-its-kind conference focused on developing innovative solutions to common challenges shared by Israel and Morocco in Casablanca last week.
During the opening ceremony, a series of 13 MOUs was signed between Israeli and Moroccan entities that will pave the way for a surge of B2B and G2G activities, particularly in the fields of human capital, agri and food tech, water tech, climate tech, logistics, and more.
The ‘Connect to Innovate’ three-day conference sought to bring the longstanding cultural relationship shared by the two countries into the 21st century by centering ties on innovation and technology, as envisioned by H.M. King Mohammed VI’s New Development Model.
To help forge those ties, Start-Up Nation Central brought to Morocco a delegation of more than 50 Israelis to Casablanca. Members of the delegation, which includes senior government officials, business executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and consultants, will share their experiences and challenges in an effort to create collaborations with Moroccan participants that address each other's pain points.
“I am so pleased to send my warmest greetings to the Morocco-Israel Connect to Innovate Forum and to congratulate Start-Up Nation Central and all the forum partners and participants for organizing this historic event,” Israel’s President Isaac Herzog said in a recorded message to the attendees.
“Together, Israel and Morocco can develop the innovative solutions that will improve lives, livelihoods, and quality of life in our own countries and promote progress and peace throughout the Middle East, Africa and beyond.”
“Let us join forces and connect to innovate, to give a chance for peace for the sake of our children and the safety of all,” H.E. Mr. Andre Azoulay, Advisor to King Mohammed VI said.
“Morocco and Israel have started the path of a win-win collaboration in mutually beneficial areas. As envisioned, we have built a solid and dynamic economic partnership that aims to be innovative in tune with global technological changes,” said Morocco’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Ryad Mezzour