Motril to head €200 million trade initiative with North Africa

MOTRIL is heading up an initiative, worth €200 million, which aims to strengthen relationships between Mediterranean cities and boost local economies.

The Mediterranean Programme of European Neighbours Policy initiative has sent a delegation from Motril to Tangier to meet with Moroccan businessmen and authorities to cement commercial relationships with the North of Africa.  The group also found time to commemorate the first anniversary of a regular shipping route between Motril and Tangier by company, FRS.

The programme is designed to create joint socio-economic and environmental policies and covers several areas of work, such as supporting small and medium-sized enterprises with a budget of €45 million.  This budget will focus on promoting ecotourism and artistic and cultural enterprises. A further €65 million is divided between urban waste management and coastal management, €33 million has been put aside for projects related to education and research and another €33 million for social promotion.

Setting out the importance of a commercial relationship between Motril and Tangier, Angel Gijon, head of the local Chamber of Commerce, explained, “the maritime lines with Tangier, Nador and Alhucemas give us a privileged role in the relationship with the north of Morocco. That is why this mission is so important, because it reflects the support of Motril to a project that can contribute to boost the economy of the entire Tropical Coast. We must, therefore, continue working together and foster relations for the future.”