Bridging continents: strengthening Morocco-Gibraltar ties
It’s a short, scenic ferry ride across the 14-kilometer Strait of Gibraltar from Tarifa in Spain to Tangiers in Morocco, but this brief journey is all that separates two great continents.
To refresh the close ties and explore the great opportunities that exist between Europe and North Africa, Sovereign Trust Gibraltar’s Head of Business Development Ejaz Niazi and Business Development Manager Simon Laviers recently made the crossing.
After a great first meeting near the port in Tangiers, it was straight to the Tanger-Ville Railway Terminal where we boarded Morocco’s impressive high-speed rail service, the Al Boraq, which was completed in 2018.
Covering 323 kilometres to link Tangiers with Casablanca in record time, this ambitious infrastructure project is a perfect example of the rapid economic modernisation of the Moroccan economy. The Al Boraq is fast, efficient and comfortable, and with a top speed of 320 km/h it’s now only an hour’s ride to Morocco’s capital city Rabat.
It’s always a pleasure to return to Rabat, which is unlike any other Moroccan city. Often overlooked in favour of more famous destinations like Marrakesh or Fez, Rabat is a hidden gem that combines beautiful architecture with a relaxed atmosphere. We enjoyed two days of successful meetings with law and accountancy firms and local entrepreneurs, which were important steps in building up our local network.
After Rabat, we journeyed on to Casablanca for our final day. Casablanca is both a symbol of Morocco’s economic ambitions and a gateway to global markets. Once again, we met with a wide variety of intermediaries and gained many important insights.
Every visit to Morocco brings fresh opportunities, and this trip was no exception. The football World Cup in 2030 – which is being jointly hosted between Morocco, Spain and Portugal – is proving to be a positive catalyst for further development across the country. This monumental event will undoubtedly enhance Morocco’s global profile and drive further investment in infrastructure and commerce.
The growing economic relationship between Morocco and Gibraltar reflects the benefits of cooperation and shared ambition. Gibraltar’s strategic port and Morocco’s growing export capacity create natural synergies. Improved ferry services and air travel options have also facilitated greater movement of people and goods.
By building on historic ties and leveraging each other’s strengths, the two regions are well-positioned to succeed together as Morocco continues to invest in its economy and Gibraltar seeks to expand its global partnerships in the post-Brexit era.
“Sovereign believes the potential for collaboration is immense,” said Laviers. “We look forward to playing our part in these future initiatives by assisting investment into Morocco and by helping Moroccan businesses to expand internationally.”
Sovereign is uniquely positioned to facilitate business between Morocco, Gibraltar and the UK. Since opening our first office in Gibraltar in 1987, we have grown to become one of the world’s leading independent providers of corporate, private client, retirement planning, insurance, tax and trust services.
With a network of 21 offices across major international finance centres, we have a strong presence in key regions, including the Middle East – where we operate in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia – as well as Europe, Asia and Africa.
To find out more about how Sovereign may be able to support your business, please contact Simon Laviers below.
