To kick off our Season 7, I am excited to introduce Safaa Nasseh, an entrepreneur based in Casablanca, Morocco. Safaa is the founder of ARKAD Plus, a company dedicated to providing invaluable guidance and expertise to those looking to start businesses in Morocco and collaborate with Moroccan enterprises.
ARKAD Plus serves as a beacon for companies seeking to navigate the complexities of investing and doing business in Morocco. With Safaa at the helm, her firm assists businesses in deciphering the intricacies of Moroccan procedures and uncovering hidden opportunities.
With a remarkable 12-year track record in the fields of trade and investments, Safaa harnesses her wealth of experience, industry insights and an extensive network to open doors for investors and foreign companies eager to explore the potential of Morocco and Africa at large. Her specialty is in unveiling high-growth prospects that might otherwise remain elusive.
At the heart of ARKAD Plus’ mission is the unwavering support it offers to businesses. Safaa excels in identifying lucrative investment opportunities, providing guidance on greenfield investments and facilitating introductions to key ministries and government bodies. Additionally, the company extends its expertise by devising go-to-market strategies, offering crucial legal counsel and assisting in the establishment of legal entities in Morocco.
Over the past dozen years, Safaa has been instrumental in brokering investments and fostering collaborations between Morocco, the United Kingdom and India. Her impactful work has touched the lives of approximately 1500 companies, with over 30 successful B2B matchmaking events to her credit. Safaa is not just a business owner; she is an educator, having trained 1640 individuals in various capacities.
Safaa’s relentless dedication bore fruit when India-Morocco bilateral trade witnessed an impressive 36% surge during her tenure at the Indian Embassy. Her outstanding contributions were recognized with not one but three “Ambitious, Bold, Creative” awards from Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner to Africa, earned during her tenure with the UK Department for International Trade (now the Department for Business and Trade).
Safaa graduated at the top of her class from Sorbonne University in 2013. Her determination knows no bounds, as exemplified by her rapid acquisition of the German language within just three months of her Erasmus semester in Germany. Her prowess in trade finance and trade policy and negotiations earned accolades from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Among her remarkable achievements are:
- Five prestigious awards from the UK Department for International Trade.
- A remarkable 36% increase in exports from India to Morocco in 2018.
- Orchestrating over 30 B2B events that facilitated meaningful connections.
- Empowering 1640+ individuals through extensive training programs, both online and in-person.
Safaa’s guiding philosophy is encapsulated in her favorite quote: “With great responsibility comes great power.” She draws inspiration from those who strike a harmonious balance between work and life while leaving an enduring impact on their surroundings.
When she’s not shaping the future of international business, Safaa immerses herself in the wisdom of authors like Robert Kiyosaki, James Clear, Robert Greene, Seth Godin, and Ryan Holiday. Her proudest accomplishment remains her pivotal role in enhancing bilateral trade between Morocco and India by an impressive 36%.
Safaa Nasseh is an example of a visionary entrepreneur who leverages her own experience to foster meaningful and impactful trade connections among diverse businesses and countries.
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