Moroccan Business Leader and Resistance Fighter Moulay Messaoud Agouzzal Dies at 89

The General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises of Meknes-Ifrane announced the death of one of its members: Moulay Messaoud Agouzzal. The businessman succumbed to a long illness at the age of 89. He will be buried this Monday after the Addohr prayer in the city of Meknes.

The late Messaoud Agouzzal was born in Ida Ougnidif, in the province of Chtouka Ait-Baha. A successful businessman, he built his empire in the aftermath of independence.

The deceased was engaged in the olive oil trade in the 1940s. In 1956, he had become the first exporter of olive oil to Italy.

After two decades of success, Moulay Messaoud created the "Huileries de Meknes" before embarking on the real estate sector in 1974. He took advantage of the wave of Moroccanization to establish himself in this sector. He bought back Chimicolor and Chimilabo.

The late Moulay Messaoud Ben Brahim Agouzzal had also been a leading figure in the resistance and the fight against the occupation.

Moroccans will remember the man for his innate business sense and his patriotism.