SIAM/ Morocco–France: A Strengthened Agricultural Partnership
Last February, Moroccan eyes were turned toward the Paris Agricultural Show. For the first time, France’s flagship agricultural event welcomed a country of honor Morocco. This week, it is the French who are turning their attention toward the International Agricultural Show in Morocco.
And rightly so: France is the guest of honor. More than a diplomatic gesture of recognition, the Kingdom is celebrating a “new chapter” in its multidimensional partnership with France. In Meknes, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan presided over the opening of the 17th edition of SIAM this past Monday, where he was warmly welcomed by Benjamin Haddad, French Minister Delegate for European Affairs, representing the guest country of this 2025 edition.
On the occasion of its flagship event, the Ismaili capital is hosting 1,500 exhibitors from 70 countries this year. On April 21, 2025, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan was also greeted by dignitaries representing numerous foreign nations. These included senior officials and diplomats from Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Eswatini, Iraq, Liberia, Malawi, Uganda, Palestine, São Tomé and Príncipe, and South Sudan, as well as representatives from development partners such as ICESCO (Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), AOAD (Arab Organization for Agricultural Development), and the World Water Council. This reinforces the diplomatic role of such events, which promote knowledge exchange and agricultural expertise sharing.
During his tour, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan visited the «Regions» section, posed for a commemorative photo with the presidents of the regional councils, and toured the «Water and Irrigation» and «Research and Innovation» zones at the pavilion of the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, as well as the OCP Group pavilion.
His Royal Highness also visited the “Sponsors,” “Institutional,” “Agri-food,” “Agri-digital,” “Agri-supplies,” “Nature and Environment,” “Machinery,” “Local Products,” “Livestock Inputs,” “Livestock,” and “International” zones. France, as guest of honor, occupies an exhibition area of nearly 400 square meters. The French Pavilion is jointly organized by Business France, the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, the French Embassy in Morocco, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Occitanie regions, and the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Morocco (CFCIM). It brings together nearly 50 exhibitors and highlights the strength of the agricultural relationship between the two nations founded on principles of complementarity and innovation.
Y.S.A
