The president of the Chamber of Commerce of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, José Valle, explained in a recent interview with Radio Lanzarote the economic keys of his recent trip to Morocco with the president of the regional executive and the specific issues of Lanzarote that he was able to discuss with Ángel Víctor Torres.
- Good morning, tell us, how was the trip to Morocco?
It was a very productive trip. We were in Rabat and Casablanca with the president and three ministers of the Government of the Canary Islands to diversify the economy of the Canary Islands. Morocco offers many opportunities. It has been a short trip, but I think many possibilities have been brought for the Canary Islands. Morocco is developing the country and the Canary Islands can be an important partner for our companies to invest there.
France has been very involved in the development of Morocco, but now there is a great opportunity for Spain, which is the leading investing country in Morocco, and the Canary Islands have to take advantage of it. It is also another way of not having all the eggs in the tourism basket, which will continue to be strong.
- It has been announced that there will be a direct air connection between Lanzarote and Morocco and possibly a maritime connection from Fuerteventura. How do you value them?
For Lanzarote, it is very good news that we are going to have a direct air connection with a Moroccan city. Beyond it being a direct connection, I really liked that we have already entered the equation. Lanzarote will have other destinations, which always stayed in Gran Canaria and Tenerife. This will make our island continue to grow.
Another important point is that our neighboring and friendly island Fuerteventura will once again have a maritime connection with Tarfaya. There is a lot of interest from both the Moroccan government and the Spanish government.
- When will these connections be available?
The direct airline between Lanzarote and Morocco will arrive in summer. The maritime line will take a little longer, but there is that will after the pandemic to return to normal. I think it will end up working out without any problem and that we will see it, possibly in a few months.
The main thing is connectivity, both by sea and by air, and the Canary Islands are very well located to be that logistical and service hub with Morocco.
- Did you have the opportunity to talk about other issues of the island with the president of the Canary Islands?
Yes, we were able to talk, for example, about the annex to the Molina Orosa hospital, about which there was some technical problem with the contract, and it seems that it has already been resolved and the companies that have developed the project will be able to be paid.
We were also talking about the Lanzarote airport and its expansion, especially the national and international flight terminal. Although AENA has already informed us that its next Airport Regulation document includes the expansion, I think we also need help from the Government of the Canary Islands, because we may have a significant problem if the expansion is not carried out, in terms of capacity of use and habitability, both for residents and for tourists who visit us.
- Speaking of connections, is the maritime connection between the Port of Los Mármoles and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria going to be re-established?
Hopefully it can be re-established, either with Fred Olsen or with Naviera Armas, but a fast connection must be made from the port of Playa Blanca, which is the closest point, so that it lasts about 2 hours and 40 minutes. I think it would be good because we would have another means of passenger transport outside the plane to go to Gran Canaria with the car and be able to carry out procedures.
I don't know if it will be possible this year, but surely in the medium term, it will be a reality. This does not mean that the goods will be moved to Playa Blanca, that is something that will not happen because that port is not prepared for that nor is it logistically convenient for the island.
