By Nibal Zgheib
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is holding its 31st Annual Meeting and Business Forum in both physical and hybrid modes in Marrakech, Morocco this May, after two years in which the event had to take place virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Under the title “Responding to Challenges in a Turbulent World”, the event, which opens on 10 May and ends two days later, will provide an opportunity to discuss the war on Ukraine, as well as global challenges such as supporting economic growth, combating climate change and strengthening the business environment in the regions where the Bank invests.
Panels at the Business Forum will also discuss digitalisation, sustainability and the transition to a green economy, the mobilisation of private capital, equality and inclusion, as well as other topical themes.
The EBRD Annual Meeting is a unique event, bringing together government representatives, business people, policymakers, academics and opinion leaders. In addition to the meeting of the Board of Governors, it will include a diverse schedule of parallel events, such as the Business Forum (including a session on the host country’s investment outlook), a programme for civil society organisations and the annual Donors’ Meeting.
This will be the first EBRD Annual Meeting ever held in North Africa. The EBRD began investing in Morocco 10 years ago.
EBRD Secretary General Kazuhiko Koguchi said: “The EBRD’s Annual Meeting is the yearly meeting of the Bank’s shareholders and is an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to our countries of operations and to re-energise their economies after two years of pandemic restrictions. Holding our event in Morocco underlines the EBRD’s contribution to strengthening the country’s resilience and highlights its attractiveness as a business hub and first-class tourist destination.”
Morocco is a founding member of the EBRD. To date, the EBRD has invested more than €3.2 billion in Morocco through 83 projects.
