Ali Oukacha
Chairman of the Competitiveness Cluster of the Agadir Haliopôle Cluster (AHP).
The President of the Competitiveness Cluster of the Agadir Haliopôle Cluster (AHP) explains the contribution of this actor in terms of the development of the industrial halio sector and the place this structure gives to innovation in the context of its joint R&D projects.
The Agadir Haliopôle Cluster (AHP) competitiveness cluster will benefit from financial support from the Ministry of Commerce over the next five years. What contribution will this new financing make to developing the competitiveness of the region’s fishing sector?
The labeling of the Haliopole cluster represents much more than just financial support. Above all, it is a sign of confidence in our fishing centre, in the women and men who work there, and in the viability of our projects. This will allow us to strengthen our efforts to promote a sustainable, competitive industry while contributing to the economic growth of our region, and by extension, our country.
Indeed, the Haliopole cluster played a vital role in the regional fisheries ecosystem. Innovation and technological development are and will always be at the core of our evolution. Our cluster has established itself as an innovation center that has successfully promoted collaboration between companies, universities and research organizations, creating an environment conducive to creativity, continuous learning and rapid implementation of innovative ideas. Our commitment to developing sustainable competitiveness is not ignored. We have promoted the adoption of environmentally responsible practices, supporting companies that integrate sustainable solutions and technologies to help build a more environmentally friendly future.
Thanks to the recent labeling, we look towards a promising future by being ready to take on new challenges and pursue our common mission of creating a positive and lasting impact on the industrial halogen sector. The Haliopole Cluster reaffirms its commitment and determination to promote the interests of the fishing sector while respecting the principles of sustainable competitiveness.
The Cluster is increasingly implementing pilot programs funded by the Souss-Massa Regional Council. What are the contours of this partnership with the region to promote innovation and joint R&D projects?
First of all, it should not be forgotten that our cluster, like other regional clusters, was established at the initiative of the Regional Council with the aim of stimulating innovation and economic growth in our region. Our partnership with the region is therefore part of a dynamic of promoting innovation and development of the fishing sector, and our strategy is strongly inspired by the orientations of the PDR, which is structured around the blue economy, ensuring that it takes into account takes into account regional sustainability priorities. take into account the programs and projects that the cluster implements. Our partnership mainly aims to create a dynamic and competitive innovation ecosystem, in which regional players work closely together to improve the competitiveness of companies in the fishing sector on national and international markets.
One of the flagship projects launched by AHP this financial year is the energy audit being conducted among 15 seafood freezing companies. What are the possibilities to improve energy performance within this sector?
By including this program in our action plan, the cluster wants to support freezing companies in reducing their energy bills and of course contribute to the ecological sustainability of their activities. There are various options to improve EPs, such as rapid freezing systems or freezing tunnels with low energy consumption. Effective cold chain management can reduce energy consumption.
Other solutions will also be offered to the freezing industry, such as adequate thermal insulation of warehouses and the use of high energy efficiency doors, which will greatly contribute to this optimization. It also includes the integration of renewable energy sources, in addition to a very important aspect, that of awareness and training. At the same time, the cluster has planned training sessions for industry personnel in good energy practices, to identify sources of energy waste and to implement energy efficiency measures on a daily basis.
What about the Halinnov program that focuses on supporting innovative project leaders and startups in the fishing sector?
In the context of local and regional development, clusters play a crucial role in promoting innovation and supporting startups and project leaders. To better organize support for startups and innovative project leaders, the cluster has launched the ‘Halinnov’ (Halieutique innovation) program. It thus acts as a coordination platform where different stakeholders, universities, research centers, institutions and experts meet and collaborate. This promotes the sharing of knowledge, resources and opportunities and thus strengthens the entrepreneurial ecosystem of our region. Through this action, the cluster offers a support and mentoring program for startups and project leaders, allowing them to refine their economic model.
It also includes developing their business plan and accessing financing. The AHP also offers versatile coaching sessions that aim to develop participants’ skills in different areas such as management, finance, marketing and technology, without forgetting to network to meet other entrepreneurs and exchange ideas, exchange experiences and, why not, potentially create partnerships.
As a result, through this program, the cluster provides support to startups and project leaders by providing an environment conducive to innovation, by facilitating access to resources and financing, by providing personalized support and by promoting collaboration and networking within the entrepreneurial ecosystem .
What are the other development options that Agadir Haliopôle is currently exploring?
Haliopôle carried out a strategic reflection in 2023 with the aim of projecting itself towards 2030. This work was the subject of a broad consultation with its members and its stakeholders: members, authorities, associations, technical partners… It was also largely inspired by the operational review of the past five years and the feedback from the permanent team. Haliopôle has formulated its vision in a world undergoing profound transformation.
Consequently, the fishing sectors in our region will have to reinvent themselves through sober territorial projects (aimed at reducing the consumption of energy and natural resources), cooperation (bringing together different organizations and companies, private and public, with the aim of ‘ to innovate collectively’). and create added value for everyone. Our project will therefore be built around five pillars. This includes being a driver of advanced R&D and startup innovation ecosystems with a strong economic model and governance.
It is also about having a national, continental and international dimension while responding to the challenges of innovation, digitalization, energy optimization and reducing the carbon footprint (decarbonization), supported by national and regional policies. To this is added the promotion of the Made in Morocco label “Morocco Seafood”. The AHP is therefore ready to meet the challenges ahead, towards a more innovative fishing future, with the ambition to be an accelerator of the adaptation of industrial players to ecological and digital transitions.
Yassine Saber / ECO inspirations
Related Posts
Bogged down by a series of crises, Boeing hopes for an AG without turbulence | TV5MONDE
Moroccan exports will amount to $46.7 million in 2022
