Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Anass MACHLOUKH
Published on 2024-03-05 19:53:00
Traveling to Morocco, Spanish Minister of Transport, Oscar Puente, experiences the charm of visiting a country he has not seen in about thirty years. Far from being just a formal visit, this trip is primarily dedicated to boosting business between Rabat and Madrid, which was on the agenda during his first meeting with the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Mohammed Abdeljalil. A highly anticipated meeting as the pending files are of crucial importance. Óscar Puente came to Morocco with a clear objective: to engage in economic diplomacy in the true sense of the term and play the role of a trading state.
Economic diplomacy is in full swing, with the government of Pedro Sanchez eager to explore the Moroccan market in order to secure lucrative contracts that Morocco is planning to launch in the coming years to build the necessary infrastructure for the organization of the 2030 World Cup. This is why Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, enthusiastically expressed during his recent visit to Rabat, where he was received by HM the King, that Spain is willing to actively participate in the development of infrastructure in Morocco. Spanish companies see this as an opportunity, especially since the Kingdom plans to invest approximately $45 billion by 2050, according to Pedro Sanchez.
On the railway front, Madrid is setting its sights on the railway sector where it hopes to secure a significant share for its companies, especially in the high-speed train network expansion projects. Oscar Puente was clear when he stated in front of the cameras that “Spain aspires to contribute to this project, given its experience in the field.” “We are a leading country in the railway sector, our high-speed train is very important as we are the world’s number one in terms of high-speed connectivity by population and second in terms of kilometers covered after China,” he said, noting that Morocco is the first African country to launch the HSR, which it plans to extend to Agadir.
The project of resuming the Tarfaya-Fuerteventura line was also discussed during the meeting. This line is expected to restart soon as agreed during the last visit of the former President of the Canary Islands, Angel Victor Torres, to Morocco. Moroccan Minister of Transport and Logistics, Mohammed Abdeljalil, stated that the resumption of this maritime line is still on the agenda, with a Spanish investor taking the lead. The authorities of both countries are working on accompanying this project to ensure the line becomes operational as soon as possible. The line is expected to restart in 2024. Coordination discussions between the authorities of both countries are ongoing.
Overall, the article discusses the efforts of Spain and Morocco to strengthen their economic ties and explore opportunities for cooperation in various sectors, particularly in infrastructure development and the railway industry.
Read the original article(French) on L’Opinion
