At the head of a federation worth several billion euros, this Manchois was with Emmanuel Macron in Morocco

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There were three planes. That of president of the Republic. The one from official delegation. And a third airliner.

In Morocco, for three days, from October 28 to 30, 2024, in the wake of Emmanuel Macron, the bosses of the largest French companies rubbed shoulders with high-level athletes, famous artists and some well-known figures.

Numerous meetings with the Moroccan government

Within this eclectic delegation, the Manchesis Philip the Greatpresident of InfraNum.

The federation brings together 240 members industrialists representative of the entire value chain serving the territories connected or to be connected. She weighs 75 billion euros in turnover.

These are fascinating encounters. From afar, one could wonder about the relevance of certain guests. In fact, everyone had a personal or professional connection to Morocco. Moreover, the list of a delegation is the result of discussions between the two countries. On site, these are moments that are a little different, certainly with a little summer camp feel in certain aspects, where big bosses who are worth several billion share moments on the bus, where we wait for the President of the Republic… Above all, there was a real positive energy, a ripple effect.

Diplomatic warming

This state visit was the opportunity to reestablish political ties distended for three years and establish strategic partnerships.

Ten billion euros contracts were announced during the visit.

The warming of diplomatic relations is seen positively on a business level. “When we get along well, it’s easier to sign”summarizes Philippe Le Grand.

As part of the preparation for the trip to the land of the setting sun, Philippe Le Grand met a collaborator of Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée.

The opportunity to emphasize the challenges for the sector, and to recall the reality of the establishment of its companies in Morocco. A little earlier, a situation note had already reached the presidency.

For three days, we were able to speak with ministers, elected officials and local businesses. These exchanges, I believe, were fruitful. On the second day, we were received by Amal El Fallah, the Moroccan Minister of Digital Transition. He is someone who is very proactive and with a lot of ambitions, particularly within the framework of the Maroc Digital 2030 strategy. The sector's cooperation with our Moroccan partners is already a reality. I believe that this visit enabled significant progress. And this, in a logic of co-development. Many Moroccan engineers have, for example, worked on the installation of fiber in France.

“The President knows the files very well”

While France has just hosted the Olympic Games, Morocco is already preparing the 2030 Football World Cup, as co-organizer.

InfraNum made its mark at the Élysée last April. HAS KievPhilippe Le Grand signed an agreement with the Ukrainian government to rebuild and modernize the telecoms networks in the country, now at war. A project which could amount to around ten billion euros.

During the Moroccan stay, Philippe Le Grand was able to speak with Emmanuel Macron. “He is someone who has great knowledge files, explains the president of InfraNum. And then he has a quite impressive visual memory. »

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