The Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum 2025 kicks off in Beijing's Xicheng district on October 27, 2025. Photo: Yin Yeping/GT

China's continuous opening of its financial market presents significant opportunities for cooperation for foreign financial institutes, especially in sectors like banking and finance, Btissam Dakkouni, chief representative officer at the Beijing representative office of Attijariwafa Bank, Morocco's largest banking institution, told the Global Times at the ongoing Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum (FSF) 2025, which is being held in Beijing from Monday to Thursday.

This is her third time participating at the FSF which she described as an "enriching experience," with the level of engagement and the caliber of attendees are exceptional, making it "a prime platform for discussing crucial financial topics." 

Speaking as a local representative from a leading bank in Morocco and the 5th largest bank in Africa in terms of total assets, and with a presence in China, Dakkouni said that "the FSF 2025 will definitely be an interesting event where I expect more dialogues and exchanges to reshape a dynamic, strong and healthy finance industry in a transforming global environment full of challenges."

Founded in 2012, the FSF has, since 2020, evolved into a national-level international professional event. Each year, including this year's event, it serves as a platform for government officials to unveil significant financial policies and regulatory reforms.

This major annual financial event underscores China's firm committment for opening-up and reforms, providing new opportunities for foreign financial banks such as Attijariwafa. "Attijariwafa bank is strongly benefited from the opening up our presence in Beijing," said Dakkouni.

Btissam Dakkouni, chief representative officer at Attijariwafa Bank's Beijing representative office Photo: Courtesy of Btissam Dakkouni

"It notably allows us to be closer to all the leading Chinese financial institutions and cooperate with them on Chinese projects in Africa," the bank representative said, noting that through this cooperation, they can co-finance Chinese projects in Africa, enhance trade and investments between China and Africa, and support both African clients and Chinese companies going global.

The Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, which was released last week, has crafted a blueprint for China's sci-tech innovation from 2026 to 2030.

Dakkouni said that the plan underscores a modern industrial system anchored in the real economy and supported by tech self-reliance pursued through openness and collaboration. 

"In this context, our bank will remain fully committed to facilitating investment and trade between China and Africa and to supporting the development of modern and efficient financial markets," said Dakkouni, extending her excitement for being in Beijing "to witness this important progress and to help channel expertise and innovation toward sustainable growth opportunities that can benefit the African continent."