World Investment Conference North Africa - Press Release

The First Edition of the World Investment Conference North Africa (WIC North Africa) Will Take Place from March 20 to 22, 2013 in Marrakech, Morocco

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 1^st edition of the World Investment Conference North Africa, organized in collaboration with the Moroccan Investment Development Agency (MIDA), will be held from March 20 to 22 in the city of Marrakech.

“The attractiveness of North Africa in terms of foreign direct investments (FDI’s)”

This international event will bring together business leaders, national and international investors, and personalities from the economic and political world to share and discuss investment opportunities in North Africa and the Middle East.
Being in full socio-economic and political transition, the region is attracting an increasing number of investors because of its potential and development prospects.
This event will also be an opportunity for Morocco to position itself as a promotion platform for the whole North African region.

WIC, growing influence
The purpose of the World Investment Conferences is to promote and facilitate foreign direct investment in the regions and countries with the best opportunities. Since its inception in 2003, WIC has a growing influence around the world. They are now emerging platforms where future international investment policies are designed. These have a decisive impact on the overall economic growth, as well as on the global political landscape.

Morocco is chosen to host the 1^st WIC North Africa
Considered by investors as one of the most attractive destinations in Africa, it is not by chance that Morocco has been chosen to host the 1^st edition of WIC North Africa. The Kingdom has indeed undertaken significant reforms to encourage foreign investment (modernization of financial markets, upgrading of infrastructure, and other reforms). The country also has significant advantages to become a regional business hub, namely its strategic geographical location and its free trade agreements with Europe and the Middle East.

A very rich program
The central theme of WIC North Africa will be "The attractiveness of North Africa in terms of foreign direct investments (FDI’s)". The meeting will be in the form of a forum where prestigious speakers will present the latest investment opportunities in each key area. Several sectorial and / or geographical studies willl be presented exclusively. During the event that will receive international media coverage, major projects or initiatives in the region will be announced. On the other hand, workshops are to discuss more specific topics such as the automotive industry, aeronautics, energy and environment, as well as services and new technologies, skills development and entrepreneurship. WIC North Africa is also an interactive space where potential partners can meet and share their experience.

About the World Investment Conferences
The World Investment Conferences were established in 2003 to promote and facilitate foreign direct investment in regions and countries with the best opportunities. They are now recognized worldwide as being the platforms where the future international investment policies are designed. These have a decisive impact on overall economic growth, as well as on the global political landscape.

About Moroccan Investment Development Agency (MIDA)
The Moroccan Investment Development Agency (MIDA) is a public entity endowed with financial autonomy. MIDA is in charge at the national level of the development and promotion of investment in Morocco. Its mission is to offer foreign investors a place for information and guidance. MIDA also aims at coordinating promotional activities in Morocco and abroad.