GIMAV Morocco Mission Casablanca Glass Machinery Industry Trade Visit Results

The first GIMAV business mission to Morocco has successfully concluded, marking a significant milestone in fostering international collaboration within the glass manufacturing industry. The initiative took place in Casablanca from May 4-7, 2026, bringing together Italian companies and Moroccan operators to explore new business opportunities, strengthen networking ties, and establish collaborative partnerships in the glass supply chain sector.

Participating Companies: Italian Excellence in Glass Technology

The mission featured 14 prominent companies representing the pinnacle of Italian glass processing technology:

• SCHIATTI ANGELO S.r.l. Officina Meccanica
• R.C.N. SOLUTIONS S.r.l.
• SKILL GLASS S.r.l.
• ANTONINI S.r.l.
• ADI S.r.l.
• MAPPI INTERNATIONAL S.r.l.
• TRIULZI CESARE SPECIAL EQUIPMENTS S.r.l.
• BOVONE S.r.l.
• CUGHER GLASS S.r.l.
• TECNOVATI COM S.r.l.
• DENVER S.p.A.
• NEPTUN S.r.l.
• PILKINGTON Italia S.p.A.
• GE.MA.TA. S.p.A.

This distinguished group, comprising 13 GIMAV member companies and one non-member company, engaged directly with Moroccan buyers, stakeholders, and production companies, showcasing Italian technological excellence in glass processing machinery and equipment.

Institutional Plenary Session: Strengthening Italy-Morocco Relations

The mission officially opened on Tuesday, May 5 with a high-level institutional plenary session featuring prominent Italian and Moroccan representatives:

Key Speakers Included:

• Francesco Capecchi - Consul General of Italy in Morocco
• Hassan Berkani - President of the Chamber of Commerce, Casablanca-Settat Region
• Luigi D'Aprea - Director of the Italian Trade Agency office in Casablanca
• Fatima Zahra Mokhtari - Director of the Territorial Division
• Carlo Escoffier - SACE Representative
• Yasin Dhaouadi - SIMEST Representative
• Local representative of AMICA (Moroccan Association for the Automotive Industry)

During the session, GIMAV Director General Lucia Masutti announced the new dates for the next edition of VITRUM, scheduled for November 16-19, 2027, confirming Fiera Milano as the host venue for this premier glass industry event.

Morocco: A Strategic Gateway to African Markets

The institutional speeches emphasized Morocco's pivotal role as a market of exceptional interest for Italian companies. Morocco has emerged as a dynamic, competitive, and innovation-oriented economy, serving not only as a strategic gateway to the African continent but also as an increasingly relevant partner for European industry.

Impressive Economic Indicators:

The Power of Direct Relationships: One-to-One Contact as Growth Driver

Participants emphasized that beyond positive economic indicators, the truly decisive element in today's business environment is direct company-to-company relationships. One-to-one contact, mutual understanding, and the ability to build concrete market access channels are fundamental factors in developing solid and lasting collaborations.

"This is only the beginning of a journey. Morocco has confirmed itself as a market of great interest, and GIMAV will continue to monitor it closely, with the aim of creating new opportunities for meetings and development for its member companies."

— Lucia Masutti, Director General of GIMAV

Special attention was directed toward Morocco's development goals, with 2030 identified as a key milestone in the country's growth trajectory. The GIMAV mission represents a concrete first step toward establishing a more structured dialogue between the Italian glass industry and the Moroccan market.

Strategic B2B Meetings: Connecting Supply with Demand

Following the institutional session, Italian companies participated in targeted B2B meetings with buyers and local operators. These meetings were organized at company desks in a structured networking session designed to facilitate direct contact between supply and demand, enabling participants to:

• Identify concrete business opportunities
• Understand specific market needs
• Establish direct commercial relationships
• Explore potential partnerships

Company Visits: First-Hand Market Insights

On Wednesday, May 6, the GIMAV delegation conducted site visits to three leading Moroccan production companies:

These visits represented one of the most valuable moments of the mission, enabling participating companies to:

• Observe production processes first-hand
• Understand organizational models
• Assess technological needs of the Moroccan market
• Identify specific requirements for Italian technology and expertise

Key Market Needs Identified:

Discussions with local operators revealed concrete needs in several critical areas:

• Process Efficiency: Optimization of production workflows
• Product Quality: Enhancement of finished product standards
• Automation: Integration of automated systems
• Technological Upgrading: Modernization of existing plants
• Capacity Expansion: Meeting growing demand in construction, automotive, and industrial glass applications

The automotive sector, in particular, stands out as one of Morocco's primary development drivers. In 2024, the country's automotive exports achieved a record 157 billion dirhams (approximately $17 billion), marking a 6.3% increase compared to the previous year, highlighting significant opportunities for glass suppliers in this expanding sector.

GIMAV's Commitment to Internationalization

GIMAV extends its gratitude to all institutions, speakers, guests, and partners who contributed to the mission's success. Special recognition goes to the participating companies that chose to take part in this inaugural initiative in Morocco, contributing their presence, expertise, and vision to building a shared path forward.

The Casablanca mission confirms GIMAV's unwavering commitment to promoting the internationalization of Italian companies in the glass processing sector, supporting them in the most promising markets and fostering concrete opportunities for meetings, knowledge exchange, and business development.

The successful conclusion of this first GIMAV business mission to Morocco establishes a solid foundation for future collaboration between Italian glass technology providers and Moroccan operators, opening new avenues for growth, innovation, and mutual prosperity in the years ahead.