Valencia and Morocco: A Growing Economic Partnership
On Monday, a significant business meeting took place at the headquarters of the Confederación Empresarial de la Comunitat Valenciana (CEV) in Valencia, highlighting the increasing trade and passenger traffic between Valencia and North Africa, which has risen by nearly 30%. The surge in international travelers—which witnessed a remarkable increase of 68%—was a key factor contributing to the revenue growth of Baleària in 2025. This ferry company, headquartered in Dénia, exemplifies the robust relationship that over 600 companies from the Valencian Community have established with Morocco. The CEV and the Council of Chambers of the Community are working diligently to enhance business ties with Morocco, focusing on commercial and investment opportunities to strengthen the economic relations between the two regions.
Adolfo Utor, the president of Baleària, was among the private sector representatives who spoke about the company's commitment to North Africa during a roundtable discussion. Other notable participants included Carlos Mulero, the General Director of Erum Maroc Grupo Erum, and Juan Antonio Vidal, the Director of InCom Composites, who shared their success stories and insights into their internationalization processes. The panel also featured contributions from Clemente González Soler, co-president of CEMAES; Adil Rais, co-president of CEMAES representing CEGEM; Karima Benyaich, the Moroccan ambassador to Spain; and Marián Cano, the Conseller of Industry, Tourism, Innovation, and Commerce. Cano emphasized the strengths of the Valencian production fabric and pointed out the “opportunity to take a step further and build an industrial, technological, and logistical alliance that allows us to generate value and compete together in Europe, the Mediterranean, and Africa.”
Trade Growth Between Valencia and Morocco
In 2025, exports from the Valencian Community to Morocco reached an impressive €854 million, while imports were close to €560 million. Morocco has established itself as the fourth-largest non-European Union market for the region and the tenth-largest supplier from outside the EU. The fact that over 600 Valencian companies regularly export to the Moroccan market underscores the depth and maturity of these commercial ties, which have significantly strengthened over recent years.
Vicente Lafuente, the president of CEV, remarked that “the geographical proximity and the deep ties between Morocco and the Valencian Community place us in a privileged position to continue strengthening our economic and business relations.” Echoing this sentiment, José Vicente Morata, president of the Council of Chambers of the Valencian Community, stressed the importance of enhancing competitiveness through stable supply chains, noting that “Morocco presents an opportunity for us to become more competitive. For us, it is essential not only as a strategic partner but also as a leading African nation that allows us to reach other markets.”
Furthermore, Ryad Mezzour, the Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade, highlighted the abundant opportunities for companies from Valencia in Morocco, as well as for Moroccan businesses in the dynamic Valencia region. He described the two economies as complementary, with a promising future, mentioning the maritime highways being constructed between the two countries. Minister Mezzour referred to Valencia as “the gateway to Europe with a very dynamic port.”
As reported by lavanguardia.com.
