Morocco-Belgium: Investment opportunities presented | L’Economiste
«We have international events coming up, such as the African Cup in 2025 and the World Cup in 2030. Between these two events, there are likely to be other events in the pipeline. We need more stadiums, more hotels, more facilities…».
At the Morocco-Belgium economic meeting held on Tuesday April 16 at the headquarters of the Moroccan employers’ association (CGEM) and attended by representatives of the Moroccan and Belgian employers’ associations, Aziz Akhannouch, Head of Government, reaffirmed the desire to create wealth not only locally but also nationally. This will be achieved in particular through the creation of hubs, as is the case in the automotive and agribusiness sectors, and in green hydrogen, where the opportunities are significant. « I really think that this is a great window of opportunity for Morocco «, stressed Akhannouch. The economic meeting was held on the sidelines of the Moroccan-Belgian High Joint Commission, and welcomed a large delegation of Belgian businesspeople, as well as the participation of Alexander DE CROO, Prime Minister of Belgium.
«When we look at some of the figures, we see that we can go much further. Take, for example, our trade, which stood at around 2.5 billion Dirhams (USD 250 million) in 2023, which doesn’t really reflect the existing potential. We have everything to gain by developing these exchanges, but above all by promoting investment between Moroccan and Belgian companies. It is investment that drives trade and accelerates growth «, said Chakib Alj, President of the CGEM. Alj proposes to define pragmatic quick-wins in terms of investment and co-investment in the infrastructure and energy sectors, identified as being highly strategic.
« If we are serious about Morocco and Belgium as hubs for trade between the European Union, Africa, and the Atlantic Basin, it is imperative to start investing now, in 2024, in exchange, connection and connectivity infrastructure between these two markets « , said Leila Benali, Minister for Energy Transition and Sustainable Development. Without transmission platforms, cables and electrical interconnectors, the potential for the exchange of electrons and green molecules cannot be realized.
«We have the necessary assets to develop this corridor between Morocco and Belgium and to reduce the risks associated with these exchanges,» added Benali.
This shows that there are plenty of investment opportunities, and so the participation of the private sector is eagerly awaited.
Khadija MASMOUDI
