2024-10-28 22:01:00
Numerous agreements were signed in the presence of the French President and the Moroccan King Mohammed VI. Alstom, Egis, CMA CGM and Safran are among the French companies involved in the contracts.
France and Morocco concluded, on the occasion of Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Rabat which began on Monday, contracts and investment agreements whose total amount will reach “up to ten billion euros”announced the French presidency. Several agreements were signed on Monday evening in the presence of the French president and the Moroccan king Mohammed VI. More agreements are expected to be signed on Tuesday.
Accompanied by his wife Brigitte Macron and a plethora of delegations of ministers, entrepreneurs, intellectuals and showbiz personalities, the French president was welcomed as soon as he got off the plane at Rabat-Salé airport with a long handshake from the monarch, in dark costume and leaning on a stick, to the sound of the royal guard’s fanfare and 21 cannon shots.
The two heads of state then joined the royal palace in a ceremonial car through the streets of Rabat decorated in the colors of France. Through the sunroof, they waved to the cheering crowds along the street and stopped for a short walk. After a tête-à-tête, they signed a statement on a “exceptional partnership strengthened” it should lead to reconciliation.
22 contracts and agreements
The Royal Cabinet mentioned, in a press release, “the transition to a new era of strong relations between Morocco and France”. Mohammed VI accepted the invitation to make a state visit to France, which could take place as early as 2025. In their presence, twenty-two contracts and agreements on rail transport, water, port sector (CMA CGM), on education and even civil protection.
In particular, the participation of the French Egis group in the construction of the second section of the Tangier-Marrakech high-speed railway line is expected. According to reliable sources, Alstom will also participate by negotiating the supply of 12-18 high-speed trains. Furthermore, the French TotalEnergies has signed an agreement for the “development of the hydrogen sector” green in Morocco. It already concluded a similar deal with Tunisia in May with the aim of building a large green hydrogen production and export complex in the south of the country. Engie and the Cherifian Phosphate Office have, for their part, signed an agreement “partnership in the energy transition”including renewable energy. The French Development Agency will also help the Moroccan phosphate industry decarbonise its operational chain through a €350 million loan. Finally, EDF signed for its part a memorandum of understanding relating to the expansion of the Taza (east) wind farm.
CMA CGM and Safran announce agreements
The shipping company CMA CGM will join forces with Marsa Maroc “equip and operate” for 25 years half of the container terminal of “Nador West Med”in northern Morocco, the French group announced Monday. CMA CGM and the Moroccan company specialized in the management of port terminals will create a joint venture to equip 35 hectares of the container terminal and 750 meters of quay. Investments must amount to $280 million over 25 years, “with the aim of reaching an annual volume of 1.2 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit, reference measure for containers)”according to CMA CGM.
French aircraft engine and equipment manufacturer Safran will set up a maintenance and repair site for its flagship LEAP engine in Casablanca, Morocco. This text signed as part of Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Rabat brings with it “on the creation of a LEAP engine maintenance workshop that will be operational by 2026”Safran specifies in a press release. The construction of this new 25,000 m2 laboratory in the Casablanca airport area “It is part of a massive investment plan to develop the global maintenance and repair network that supports the growth of the LEAP engine fleet”underlines Safran. LEAP, a next-generation fuel-efficient engine, powers the majority of Airbus A320neo, Boeing 737 MAX and COMAC C919 next-generation single-aisle aircraft families, i.e. more than 3,500 aircraft in service worldwide, specifies Safran. Emmanuel Macron will be in Rabat until Wednesday.
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