2003 Global Summit of Women
Marrakech, Morocco
 

About the Host Country of the 2003 Summit, Morocco
 

Morocco — with its growing number of women in government and in economic leadership positions, and with increasingly active women's entrepreneurial organizations — will serve as the first Arab state to host a Global Summit of Women.   In its recent election, Morocco brought 35 women to Parliament, resulting in the appointment of three women ministers.  Against the backdrop of the natural beauty of this Arab state, Summit attendees will also enjoy the official patronage of the King at a royal reception as well as the welcome of  Marrakech through its governor (Wali), who will roll out the carpet for the best and the brightest among women worldwide.

Because of its strategic location for exporting into North and Francophone Africa, Europe and the Middle East, Morocco offers significant business opportunities. Generous incentives exist for import of capital equipment and raw materials for re-export. Morocco is also a popular regional base for Africa, with convenient air connections, a reliable telecommunications network and temperate climate year-round.  The following sectors have been identified as best prospects for foreign firms: telecommunications/information technology; electric power systems; environmental technology; water and waste water treatment; tourism (hotel/resort construction, infrastructure, management and services; and oil and natural gas exploration.