(MENAFN- Morocco World News) Rabat – The Moroccan American Network will host its second CEO Summit in Washington D.C. May 19 to focus on job creation and foster new business opportunities between Morocco and the U.S., according to the event's organizers.
This year's CEO Summit sets its sights on small business, which is often overlooked as a sector, but is a driver of economic growth in the economy of every country. 'The main objective of CEO Summit 2 is to highlight the resources that are available to help small businesses succeed both here in the US through the GSA and SBA, and in Morocco, and to focus on job creation and international business opportunities,' said Mohamed El Hajjam, President and co-founder of the Moroccan American Network.
CEO Summit 2 will focus on the northern region of Morocco due to its recent strides in economic development and its geographic position linking Europe and Africa, according to El Hajjam. The Tanger-Med Port is also linked to the Norfolk port in Virginia, highlighting the cultural and historical ties between the two cities.
The conference will feature prominent businessman and President of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, Ilyas El Omari, as the official guest of honor.
Elisabeth Myers, General Counsel and Strategic Advisor to the Moroccan American Network, said that the Network is 'bringing prominent members of the local and international business communities, academics, experts, US and foreign government officials, and others together to explore small business opportunities between the US and Morocco as the gateway to Africa and beyond.'
Myers explained that the CEO Summit 2 is an 'opportunity for entrepreneurs and CEOs who want to grow their businesses in the U.S. or who wish to explore small business opportunities in Africa, and especially in Morocco, to network and meet with others with similar interests and concerns.' Myers noted that the summit will feature keynote speeches, panels on doing business in the U.S. and Africa, and a special open mic Q & A session with keynote speaker El Omari and his delegation from Morocco.
'This is the first time the Moroccan-American Network has reached out to Morocco in putting on our events,' said El Hajjam. 'We believe it is a win-win situation. A Moroccan delegation is coming and will have a chance to meet with the small business experts and US government representatives who deal with small business. The delegation will have a first hand opportunity to see the US model of small business. This is something that Morocco needs to learn about.'
Highlighting Morocco as the Gateway of Africa and the MENA region, the Moroccan delegation led by El Omari will shed more light on the entrepreneurial environment in Morocco, which Myers suggested is even 'more creative, innovative and promising than the current environment in the US.'
The Moroccan delegation will play a key role in the CEO Summit 2, providing answers to American and Moroccan-American entrepreneurs wishing to invest in Morocco and especially in the Northern region of the Kingdom. From how entrepreneurs can go after financing to what resources are available, participation of the Moroccan delegation opens the door to learning opportunities and a network of partners and investors committed to supporting entrepreneurship in Africa, and in Morocco in particular.
'The Moroccan-American Network is a network of individuals dedicated to creating opportunities for small business,' said General Counsel Elisabeth Myers. 'The CEO Summit is an excellent opportunity to meet others who face the same challenges and to learn from the know-how of successful business people and experts in the field.'
The summit provides a unique opportunity for strategic business B2B networking and associated activities, to learn more about Government Contract Services Administration (GSA) programs and the US Small Business Administration, and to provide valuable information on doing business with the US government and in Morocco.
The CEO Summit 2 comes at a time where the global political and economic environment is raising many concerns for small business owners and entrepreneurs in the US. 'Despite promises made on the campaign trail to help small business owners and create jobs, we are not seeing concrete proposals to help small business. It is important for small business owners to know how to help themselves by finding the right resources and the available opportunities,' said Myers.
'On a larger scale, one of the things we are helping to do through the Moroccan American Network is to promote job creation in the US and Morocco,' Myers said. 'If you help small business grow, you're systematically helping to create new jobs, and that's where economic growth comes from.'
The conference is being presented by the Moroccan American Network with support of principal sponsors AV Actions Inc., Myers Energy International, and KS Concept.
'The Moroccan American Network, through its three areas of focus — business, media, and cultural heritage — aims not only to open up business opportunities between the two countries, but to increase dialogue and cultural awareness and to enhance Morocco's image in the US,' said Elhajjam. 'The Moroccan American Network appreciates the support and participation of Mr. Ilyas El Omari and his delegation,' he added.
Other sponsors and partners include: Georgetown University, The Euille Group, the D.C. Mayor's Office of African Affairs, the U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce, Sanitas International, TD Bank, ENODO Global, Inc., Morocco Premier Events Inc., and CityScape Metro Group. Media partners include Assabah newspaper, Morocco World News, Hespress. Supporting organizations include the Association of Moroccan Professionals in America (AMPA) and the Middle East and North Africa Consultants' Association.
More information and registration info is available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/second-ceo-small-business-summit-tickets-33734065498.
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