Celebrating 240 Years of U.S.–Morocco Friendship and 20 Years of Free Trade: A Night of Recognition and Collaboration
Celebrating 240 Years of U.S.–Morocco Friendship: AmCham Honors Economic Collaborations
Mohammedia, Morocco – In a vibrant ceremony held last night at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, the American Chamber of Commerce in Morocco (AmCham) celebrated two significant milestones: 240 years of U.S.–Morocco friendship and 20 years of the Free Trade Agreement. The event brought together business leaders, policymakers, and innovators to honor the enduring economic collaborations between the two nations.
The evening commenced with a captivating video presentation that traced the rich history of American-Moroccan relations, highlighting Morocco as the first country to recognize the United States. This historical context set the stage for the celebration of ongoing partnerships that have flourished since AmCham’s founding in 1966.
AmCham President Azzedine Kettani expressed heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors of the event, including prominent companies such as OCP, Coca-Cola, Visa, Ulmes, Ebertek, and Hyatt. “We are pleased to see you, and we are pleased to help the American-Moroccan business. This has been our goal since we started working at AmCham in 1966,” Kettani remarked.
The highlight of the evening was the awards ceremony, which recognized leading companies and organizations for their significant contributions to Moroccan-American trade and investment. Saad Boughaba of TE Connectivity received accolades for his firm’s innovative engineering solutions in the automotive and electrical sectors. He proudly noted that TE’s Moroccan operations manage projects from concept to industrialization, serving both local and international clients.
Amal Dembri of OLEA Capital accepted an award on behalf of Zouitina, a brand renowned for its production of extra-virgin olive oil and table olives. Dembri emphasized the company’s commitment to traceability and quality control, sharing aspirations to expand into the U.S. market while promoting Moroccan excellence abroad.
Laila Slassi Sennou, President of EFE-Morocco, was recognized for her organization’s efforts in bridging the gap between youth training and labor market needs. She highlighted the critical issue of unemployment stemming from mismatched skills, stating, “Today more than ever, it’s time to invest in youth and their training to help them inspire others.”
Jamila Bargach of the Dar Si Hmad Foundation received a certificate of appreciation for her organization’s innovative fog harvesting project, which provides clean water to rural communities while promoting environmental education and local empowerment. She expressed gratitude to AmCham for the recognition and underscored the importance of sustainable solutions in water-scarce regions.
Throughout the evening, additional awards were presented to various Moroccan companies and organizations that are driving innovation, social impact, and international trade.
Founded in 1966, AmCham Morocco plays a pivotal role in promoting bilateral trade and investment between the United States and Morocco. The organization supports American and Moroccan businesses, facilitates partnerships, and strengthens economic ties, serving as a vital platform for dialogue, collaboration, and recognition of excellence across industries.
As the evening concluded, attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to fostering the enduring friendship and economic collaboration between the United States and Morocco.
