Sandyford Business District (SBD), a major commercial and innovation hub in south Dublin, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Casablanca Finance City (CFC), Morocco's leading financial and business center, during a recent trade mission to the North African country. The agreement marks the beginning of a strategic economic partnership, according to Business Plus magazine. While Casablanca Finance City serves as a gateway for international investment into Africa and hosts major financial institutions and multinational corporations, Sandyford Business District is home to over 1,000 companies—ranging from global tech firms to high-growth startups—and plays a key role in Ireland's knowledge and innovation economy. The Irish delegation, which included officials from Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council and local business leaders, explored opportunities for bilateral collaboration aimed at increasing global visibility, attracting investment, and exchanging expertise across business, academia, and urban development. The MoU was signed by Ger Corbett, CEO of SBD, and Said Ibrahimi, CEO of CFC. Corbett identified Fintech as a promising area of cooperation, citing the recent acquisition of Irish company CR2 by Moroccan group HPS as a sign of strengthening ties. Other sectors flagged for future collaboration include smart cities, AgriTech, construction, industry, and tourism. Corbett also praised Morocco's strategic investments in infrastructure, education, and innovation, and highlighted CFC's strong talent pool, bilingual workforce, and unique access to both African and European markets. «Casablanca Finance City, like Sandyford Business District, is guided by a clear vision for long-term growth», Corbett said. «Though we're at different stages of development, our shared values will help us learn from one another and build thriving, investment-ready districts». He added that the MoU lays the foundation for stronger trade ties and future academic and professional partnerships between the two business ecosystems.
