The potential for bilateral cooperation between Morocco and China within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is “very promising”, affirmed the Ambassador of His Majesty the King to China, Abdelkader El Ansari.
Thanks to its position as a gateway to Africa and its access to the European market, Morocco has become a key partner within the BRI, argued Mr. El Ansari in an interview with the Chinese daily “China Daily”.
In this sense, he mentioned the Mohammed VI Tangier Tech City as an emblematic example of Sino-Moroccan cooperation. “In this smart city, we hope to welcome Chinese companies to implement new generation projects with high technological value, particularly in the automobile, electronics and robotics sectors,” he said. said.
The diplomat noted that Moroccan and Chinese companies can develop strong synergies, particularly in the electric vehicle sector, especially since Morocco has become a leading automobile exporter thanks to a favorable business climate.
“To produce electric vehicles, you need raw materials, technology and a qualified workforce. These elements are present in Morocco, which also benefits from access to other markets,” he said. he pointed out.
In this regard, “China Daily” recalls that last June, the Sino-European group of batteries for electric vehicles Gotion High-Tech signed an investment agreement of 1.3 billion dollars with the Moroccan government to build a gigafactory in Kenitra.
On November 13, Gotion High-Tech and the Caisse de dépôt et de gestion (CDG) signed a memorandum of understanding relating to support for this gigafactory currently being built, adds the Chinese daily.
The media also recalls that Morocco is linked to China by a strategic partnership sealed in 2016 and became, in 2022, the first country in North Africa to sign a BRI implementation plan.
The growing cooperation between the two countries has yielded tangible results. “China Daily” argues that China is now Morocco’s largest trading partner in Asia and its third global partner, with opportunities in infrastructure, energy, health, education and tourism. .
On this last aspect, the daily notes that the Kingdom decided, in 2016, to exempt Chinese nationals from the visa formality, “rapidly becoming a popular destination for tourists” from the Asian country, whose number has increased from around 15,000 in 2016 to 200,000 three years later.
“I am convinced that in the next three to four years, we will reach the objective of 500,000 visitors” from China, underlined Mr. El Ansari.
