Casablanca – In a recent session, the Council of the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region unveiled ambitious development projects aimed at bolstering economic growth and enhancing infrastructure across the region. One of the key initiatives approved unanimously is the establishment of an industrial park in the municipality of Beni Ykhlef, Khouribga. This project, valued at approximately $155 million, is poised to create approximately 20,000 direct jobs, marking a significant stride towards economic diversification.

Under a memorandum of understanding involving the Beni Mellal-Khenifra Regional Council, the Chinese company specializing in industrial free zone creation and management, Holley Global, the Regional Investment Center, and local authorities, the industrial park will host specialized industries ranging from automotive and spare parts, electromechanical equipment, furniture, textiles, household appliances, electronic products, fodder, to renewable energy products. This initiative aims not only to stimulate economic growth but also to steer development towards promising industrial sectors.

Additionally, the Council ratified a cooperation protocol with the Draa Tafilalet region, focusing on enhancing road infrastructure and facilitating connectivity between the two regions. This protocol also aims to upgrade tourist sites along the Grand Atlas chain, promoting exchange of successful experiences in various fields and supporting continuous training programs for elected officials and administrative and technical staff.

Furthermore, the Council unanimously approved a partnership agreement for the construction of a cultural complex in Azilal province. This agreement, involving the Beni Mellal-Khenifra Regional Council, Azilal province, the Moroccan Cinematographic Center, the Sawt Al Jabal Foundation for Heritage and Sustainable Development, the Atlas Regional Development Company, and Imma Hanna Company, will feature a cinema hall with 220 seats, secondary cinema hall, cinema library, computer room, training room, and other facilities spanning 1500 square meters.

Moreover, the Council endorsed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) aimed at fostering territorial development projects and implementing a new urban agenda aligned with sustainable development goals. This collaboration seeks to enhance the skills of regional officials and elected representatives in their respective areas of expertise.

Lastly, the Council approved a partnership convention to develop renewable energies and energy efficiency in the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region. This agreement, involving Innovative Energy and Efficiency (INEE), a subsidiary of the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion group, aims to promote energy efficiency by integrating renewable energies into the energy mix, improving public lighting performance, and decarbonizing industrial zones.

In addressing these initiatives, Adil Barakat, President of the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region, emphasized the region’s dynamic growth across various sectors, particularly in industry with the establishment of the new Beni Ykhlef industrial zone. He called upon all Council members to actively engage in these projects with seriousness and responsible commitment to ensure their timely completion according to established schedules. These developments underscore the region’s commitment to sustainable economic and social development, leveraging available resources optimally for the benefit of its residents.

The region of Beni Mellal-Khenifra is one of the twelve Moroccan regions established by the territorial division of 2015. It combines the former region of Tadla-Azilal with the provinces of Khenifra and Khouribga. Located in the center of the country, it encompasses the Tadla plain, between the High Atlas and the Middle Atlas.