Sidi Ifni Economic and social development program on track. Other promising sectors to promote.

An official presentation of the different components of the economic and social development program of the province of Sidi Ifni (2014-2017) and the development of the approaches and measures initiated and underway, took place recently at the provincial headquarters.

An official presentation of the different components of the economic and social development program of the province of Sidi Ifni (2014-2017) and the development of the approaches and measures initiated and underway, took place recently at the provincial headquarters. 
 The meeting was chaired by Governor Sidi Saleh DAHA and in the presence of the president of the Guelmim region Oued Noun, elected officials, external services and social society. It should be noted that a journalist, Brahim Boulid, is the current president of the Provincial Council. A dynamic colleague, knowledgeable in the field, full of ambition, who will surely put into practice his knowledge of criticism and informed observer of municipal management, to participate in a real citizen approach to development, within the framework of a good synergy between elected officials, populations, economic and social operators and local authorities. 
  It should be noted that the economic and social development program of the province of Sidi Ifni was developed as part of a participatory approach / participatory diagnosis in consultation with elected officials and relevant components of civil society and local development actors. The implementation of this program will be carried out in partnership with the various possible partners and ministerial departments concerned. Some projects have already been carried out for 2015, some are scheduled for 2016 and 2017.

It should be remembered that the province of Sidi Ifni was created in 2009, as part of the policy of bringing the administration closer to citizens. The province is part of the Guelmim Oued Noun Region; with an area of ​​3190 km.  According to the 2014 census, the province is home to 115,691 inhabitants, including 26,347 in urban areas and 89,344 in rural areas. The distribution of the population is spread over two urban municipalities and 17 rural municipalities. 
   The economic sectors are mainly divided between agriculture, notably with the argan tree, a forest area with 107,695 ha; maritime fishing with a total of 19,000 tonnes divided between coastal fishing and artisanal fishing. On the tourism side, the accommodation sector has 320 campsites, 150 furnished apartments, low hotel capacity, unclassified guest houses, etc.
 The Atlantic side, still virgin, in the province with beautiful beaches, offers significant potential for tourism investment, as is also the case for the sport fishing sector on the coast as well as at sea. It is also worth highlighting the production of local products, in the argan sector, that of prickly pears which is developing better and better and which can be greatly improved with good exploitation, good development and good marketing to make known the different derived from this miracle cactus whose liter of oil is worth 12,000 DH per liter on the market. Sifi Ifini organizes a Cactus and prickly pear festival in August which sees good participation and good visibility for products derived from the cactus. 
 It is therefore wise to define a good development strategy based also on tourism and good exploitation of the cactus. One must serve the other in terms of promotion and marketing. The niche products available to the province of Sidi Ifni, brought together, can become a good vector of economic and social development for local populations.