With its political stability, its infrastructure, its strategic position, its young and qualified workforce, and its favorable business climate, the Kingdom positions itself as a reliable partner and a regional platform for the development of the aeronautics sector. , underlined Mr. Mezzour during the opening ceremony of the 7th edition of the International Aeronautics and Space Show “Marrakech Air Show 2024” (MAS 2024).
In accordance with the enlightened Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI in the aeronautics field, the Kingdom has demonstrated, in recent years, its capabilities at all levels of production, attracting leading international partners, he said. he explained.
This dynamic allows Morocco to produce any aircraft part, he said, noting that the Kingdom’s ambition is to move forward in this approach for the manufacture of a complete aircraft in the future.
Morocco has solid expertise and recognized know-how to succeed in this challenge, noted Mr. Mezzour.
Also speaking on this occasion, the general director of the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG), Khalid Safir, noted that “Marrakech Air Show” has become an emblematic showcase of Morocco’s ambitions in terms of development of the sectors of aeronautics and defense, adding that this event demonstrates the Kingdom’s unfailing support for a strategic sector for industrial emergence and national sovereignty.
“Today, the Moroccan aeronautical sector is a real success story, the result of a shared vision and collective effort. With more than 20,000 jobs created and a sectoral integration rate exceeding 40%, this sector has become an essential lever for the development of our national economy, positioning Morocco as a competitive best-cost destination for high-tech industries,” he said. detailed Mr. Safir.
In this spirit, he continued, the CDG Group, faithful to its original mission of supporting sectoral public policies, through its subsidiary MEDZ, actively supports the development of innovative ecosystems and high-quality infrastructures. quality, adapted to strategic industrial needs, specifying that MEDZ, with 20 years of experience, has structured 16 industrial activity zones covering more than 2,600 hectares throughout Morocco.
In the same wake, the CEO of Royal Air Maroc, Abdelhamid Addou, emphasized the “radiation of the aeronautical industry in Morocco over the last two decades”, explaining that, thanks to the strategic vision of HM the King Mohammed VI, this sector has experienced “remarkable growth” which places the Kingdom among the “global players in the aeronautics industry and makes Morocco an attractive destination for international investments”.
RAM, which has been involved since the 1960s in industrial activity linked to air transport and the aeronautics sector, has entered a new era of expansion with the signing last July of a program contract which propels the Group in a new dynamic of renewed challenges and an ambitious roadmap over the next 14 years.
“It involves multiplying our fleet by 4, going from 50 to 200 planes, multiplying the number of our passengers by 5, from 7 to 35 million passengers, and going from an annual turnover of almost 2 billion dollars to 9 billion dollars,” recalled Mr. Addou.
Organized jointly by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the National Defense Administration and MEDZ, a subsidiary of CDG, this 7th edition, of which the United Arab Emirates is the guest of honor, highlights the growing importance of Morocco on the world aeronautical scene.
In an exhibition space of 12,500m², MAS 2024, which will continue until November 2, welcomes professionals and official delegations from the four corners of the world.
Placed under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this year the Show is experiencing unprecedented participation with 200 exhibitors, more than 75 official delegations, spectacular aerial demonstrations, a dynamic exhibition and a program rich in high-level conferences.u covering emerging trends and current and future challenges in the sector.
