Laayoune and Hollywood city in the state of Florida (US) signed, Wednesday in Laayoune, a twinning agreement aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, culture, education, and tourism.
As part of the decentralized cooperation between Morocco and the US, the President of Laayoune’s City Council, Moulay Hamdi Ould Errachid, and the Mayor of Hollywood, Josh Levy, signed the agreement at the headquarters of Laayoune’s municipality in the presence of the Wali of Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region, Governor of Laayoune province, Abdeslam Bekrate, and representatives from both Laayoune and Hollywood.
According to Ould Errachid and Levy, this agreement aims to strengthen cooperation and exchange expertise in several sectors, namely tourism, environment, culture, arts, academic research, and sustainable development.
This agreement aims to provide the capital of the Moroccan Sahara with international influence and partnership prospects that will contribute to Laayoune’s socio-economic development.
“This agreement marks the beginning of a closer relationship between Laayoune and Hollywood in the economic and cultural fields,” stated Levy following the signing ceremony of the twinning agreement.
Levy also said that he was “impressed” by the quality of investment and educational infrastructure, sports, socio-economic, and health in Laayoune and the efforts of Laayoune’s Regional Council and Communal Council in the implementation of projects.
The Mayor of the city of Hollywood in Florida also expressed his desire to consolidate bilateral relations, through the exchange of visits of delegations from both cities.
In this context, Levy noted that priority sectors in Laayoune and Florida are similar and complementary, citing the aviation, agriculture, and education sectors. He also called, in this regard, for close cooperation between companies in Laayoune and Hollywood to benefit from investment opportunities in the two cities.
For his part, Ould Errachid stressed that this agreement, which reflects the United States’ recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara, aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in several fields.
Ould Errachid also expressed his willingness to develop mutually beneficial relations in several fields of common interest with Hollywood.
In a similar context, the American delegation followed a presentation on the development program of Laayoune municipality covering the several development projects listed under the Southern provinces’ new development model launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in 2015.
On this occasion, the American delegation visited the Regional Investment Center and attended several presentations on the socio-economic potential and the investment opportunities that the region offers.
During their stay in Laayoune, the American officials visited several completed and ongoing projects, witnessing firsthand the efforts invested in ensuring the region’s comprehensive and integrated development.
