The Moroccan Digital Development Agency (ADD) and the Algarve company GrowIN Portugal launched an initiative to support the internationalization of startups, Moroccan and Portuguese, through the signing of a strategic agreement, which took place this Thursday, 3 June.
«This agreement we made with ADD will serve to create a Moroccan-Portuguese system of startups, in order to facilitate the entry of these companies, African and Moroccan, in Portugal and in Europe», said Diogo Marçal, Business Development Manager from GrowIN Portugal, to Sul Informação.
This partnership will promote cooperation between the two organizations, reinforcing support for the expansion of these young companies in their respective ecosystems.
«This is an asset for the regional economy, in this post-pandemic era, and could even create more jobs, because the Algarve could attract startups of the African continent», highlighted Diogo Marçal.
In this strategic agreement, it was established that both parties will collaborate in the Planning and Launch of the Competition of Startups Moroccan-Portuguese, promote opportunities for the development of innovation ecosystems in both countries, conduct delegation trips and introductory meetings with ecosystem stakeholders in both countries.
It was also agreed to exchange information and knowledge about the evolution of the startups in both countries and collaborate on the development and launch of the respective ecosystem platforms.
“This initiative will provide the necessary support not only for startups Moroccan and Portuguese, as well as for others from all over the world. The pandemic has hit the economy around the world, and we are witnessing the growing importance of digital transformation and the role it can play in accelerating economic growth,” highlighted Mohammed Drissi Melyani, Director General of ADD.
«By creating a link between the two ecosystems, ADD and GrowIN Portugal are providing a unique opportunity for startups innovative companies that intend to expand internationally and strengthen the digital economy in Morocco and Portugal», highlighted Mohammed Drissi Melyani.
«Now, more than ever, many startups Portuguese companies need to expand into new markets in order to sustain their growth. Therefore, we are very pleased to collaborate with ADD», added Anas El Arras, CEO of GrowIN Portugal.
Morocco and Portugal share many similarities and attractive innovation ecosystems with funding support, highly qualified human resources, state-of-the-art digital infrastructure and growth opportunities.
«Portugal can be the gateway to startups Moroccan markets in the European Union, and Morocco would allow young Portuguese companies to expand to Africa. By joining hands with ADD, and building a bridge between the two ecosystems, we can accelerate the growth of startups and sharing valuable knowledge», stresses Anas El Arras.
The signing of the agreement followed the visit of an ADD delegation to Lisbon, in November 2019, and two visits by GrowIN Portugal to Rabat, in January of this year.
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