While its partners in Europe contemplate the possibility of a double-dip recession and its neighbours get to grips with the aftermath of the 'Arab Spring' uprisings, there is a pervading feeling that Morocco will sustain its solid economic growth.

Attijariwafa Bank is the largest financial institution in Morocco and the sixth largest in Africa. Its CEO, Mohamed El Kettani, tells Barbara Njauabout the bank's plans for expansion within Africa, particularly to the unbanked, and of the projects it has funded throughout the continent.

With the largest stock exchange in north Africa, a slew of new projects intended to attract foreign investors and a modernisation drive to improve existing institutions, Casablanca is well positioned to achieve its aim of becoming an international financial centre.

Attracting travellers to Morocco is not difficult, given its array of natural attractions and reputation as a cultural hot-spot. However, the country's government is not resting on its laurels, and has launched a plan to pull in more tourists, and in doing so attract more foreign investment and create more jobs.

The Moroccan government's solution to increased international competition in the fields in which it traditionally excels was to make moves to establish the country as a leading provider of offshore services to European companies, a strategy which is already reaping dividends.