Partner: MOROCCO

Partner

MOROCCO

A LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES A Pole Of Stability And Sustainable Growth

His Majesty the King Mohammed VI

“Today, we are witnessing the dawn of a new revolution - one in which we seek to rise to the challenge of completing the construction of modern Morocco; a revolution through which we aim to give Moroccans the place they deserve in life�

Speech to the Nation, August 20th, 2018

Solar Plant Complex Noor II and III Ouarzazate

INTERVIEW

MOHAMMED SAJID Moroccan Minister of Tourism, Air Transport, Handicrafts and Social Economy

Morocco: One Of The World's Best Tourist Destinations Morocco welcomed 12.3 million tourists in 2018, enabling the country to position itself as the top African destination and the world's 35th most popular tourist destination

T

he development of tourist flows to Morocco is our ultimate goal, and we are looking forward to increasing our connectivity with the region - Mohammed Sajid. • Morocco is a tourist country par excellence, with more than 12.3 million tourists having visited Morocco in 2018. With regard to the tourism sector's strategic "Vision 2020" plan, can we talk about the "Success Story"of Tourism in Morocco, or are statistics not yet up to the expected objectives?

- Tourism occupies a priority place in Morocco's economy and plays a vital role in

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its territorial, economic and social development. It was among the first sectors to be endowed, following the impetus of His Majesty the King may God assist Him, with a series of proactive and ambitious sector-specific strategies, the first of which dates back to the early 2000s.

With a direct contribution to GDP of around seven per cent, more than 550,000

direct jobs and total expenditures of around 132 billion dirhams in 2018, more than 90 billion of which were spent in foreign currencies, tourism is, more than ever, at the centre of calculations of our country's economic and social development. This dynamism allowed Morocco to welcome 12.3 million tourists in 2018, a million more than in 2017, which enabled it to this year

After our establishing of direct flights to Budapest, Vienna and Warsaw, we expect Belgrade to be part of this gradual process, and I hope very soon

PRIORITY

TOURIST

HANDICRAFTS

Tourism occupies a priority place in Morocco's economy and plays a vital role in its territorial, economic and social development

Morocco welcomed 12.3 million tourists in 2018, a million more than in 2017

We strive to double our efforts to ensure all the factors and conditions of success necessary for development are placed in the service of handicrafts sector

consolidate its position as the top African destination and maintain its ranking as the 35th worldwide.

• Following the entry into force of the air transport cooperation agreement between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Serbia, the number of Serbian tourists visiting Morocco has tripled in the last two years, despite the absence of a direct aviation route. Do you not think it's time to established direct flights with Belgrade, which could also simultaneously serve the other countries of the Western Balkans?

- The increase of tourist flows to Morocco is our ultimate goal, and in this sense strengthening Morocco's aviation connectivity and its accessibility is at the heart of our concerns. The cooperation agreement in the air transport sector signed between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Serbia is the perfect illustration of that, as it demonstrates our determination to open up entirely to this strategic region. That is important for us and has allowed several aviation links between the countries of the region and Morocco to be established

generation, is starting to inspire today's great designers?

- As you know, the Kingdom of Morocco has an age-old history and is located at the crossroads of many cultural, ethnic, religious and social tributaries that have, over the centuries, contributed to the enrichment of our history, our values and our material and intangible cultural heritage.

Handicrafts, in addition to their impor-

MEDERSA BEN YOUSSEF MUSEUM

With a direct contribution to GDP of around seven per cent, tourism is – more than ever – at the centre of calculations of the economic and social development of our country recently (Budapest, Vienna, Warsaw etc.). I hope that this step, which is part of a gradual process, will cover Belgrade very soon.

• As minister, you also manage the 'Handicrafts' portfolio. This is an important sector that employs 20 per cent of the working population, but, above all, reflects the huge heritage and cultural and human wealth related to the history and traditions of the Moroccan people. What is your department's policy for promoting this sector and supporting craftsmen whose knowhow, which is passed down from generation to

management, ploughing, harvesting and gathering, storing foodstuffs, education etc. Today, under the modern economy, this can be considered as a solution for fighting poverty and the marginalisation of certain groups or regions. Is there a strategy for redefining and modernising social economy to ensure the inclusive economic development of Moroccan women and young people?

tant contribution to the national economy (more than 2.3 million jobs) are an important medium for the protection and transmission of our ancestral heritage, traditions and knowhow. In this sense, we strive to double our efforts to ensure all the factors and conditions of success necessary for development are placed in the service of this vital sector.

• The history of Morocco is also the story of a social economy based on solidarity, which – in its traditional form – corresponded to a communal system of water

- Among the secular values and traditions of Morocco to which I refer, mutual aid and solidarity between individuals and communities have a place of choice. Indeed, many economic activities in our country have for centuries been based on these notions and have been developed and structured through the years. Thus, Morocco's social and solidarity economy today counts more than 20,000 cooperatives, supervising more than 600,000 men and women, 130,000 associations and more than 53 mutuals.

In this sense, we set ourselves the objective of highlighting and reinforcing this sector's contribution to job creation, and particularly the inclusion of different sections of the population, especially young people and women, which would allow us to contribute to boosting our country's GDP in a more substantial way. ■ APRIL

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INTERVIEW

H.E. MOHAMMED AMINE BELHAJ, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Serbia

Morocco and Serbia share the same vision of a world in which peace, security, solidarity and cooperation are the most important values. Based on vibrant bilateral relations, the two countries have shown a readiness to use the momentum and give “more strategic character” to relations

Friendship & Mutual Respect A lthough diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Serbia have always been good, the recent accelerating of bilateral relations promises even more dynamic cooperation, especially in the fields of trade and economics.

• Your Excellency, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said during his recent visit to Belgrade that relations between Serbia and Morocco are experiencing some kind of “honeymoon”. How would you say bilateral relations stand between Serbia and Morocco?

- Rooted in history, diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Serbia have been shaped over the years by strong and symbolic moments of friendship and mutual respect. The legal 4 |

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framework governing these relations has been strengthened in recent years through the signing of several agreements and memoranda in various fields, economic and trade, air services, culture, youth and sports, diplomatic academies and justice etc.

The year 2018 witnessed a positive and virtuous dynamic, as well as the enhancement of political dialogue between the two countries through regular contacts and, in particular, between both ministers of foreign affairs, who expressed – in September 2018 – their ambition to give a “more strategic character” to the relationship.

In order to consolidate this momentum and strengthen economic and trade cooperation, the two foreign ministers agreed last September to organise the 2nd session of the Joint Economic Commission, which took place in Rabat on March 6th 2019.

• Bilateral relations have a strong foothold based in the past and the two countries' traditional cooperation in the scope of the Non-Aligned Movement.

- Yes, indeed, relations between Morocco and Serbia are strong and based on mutual respect and solidarity. Moreover, these relations were strengthened by the friendship between our late leaders and Non-Aligned Movement founders – His Majesty King Hassan II and President Josip Broz Tito – who shared a common vision opposed to colonialism and imperialism, fighting against poverty and promoting economic development.

Both countries are working for a world where peace, security, solidarity and cooperation prevail. We have also maintained our principled stance in defending territorial integrity and national sovereignty, based on International Law, which is additionally re-

INTEGRITY

COOPERATION

PEACE

Morocco and Serbia stand together in supporting the principle of territorial integrity and national sovereignty

The main sectors for advancing our cooperation could be agriculture, renewable energies, tourism and ICT, as well as the automotive and aeronautics industries

Both countries are working for a world where peace, security, solidarity and cooperation prevail

flected through the two countries' mutual support within international organisations.

• The Intergovernmental Conference to Adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, convened under the auspices of the United Nations General Assembly, took place on 10th and 11th December 2018, in Marrakesh, Morocco. What could be learned from this conference?

- The organisation of this conference in Marrakesh primarily testifies to the commitment of the Kingdom of Morocco to tackling major multilateral issues, as well as its deep conviction that the major issues of the moment can be solved only through a common approach. Migration is, more than ever, at the heart of global issues, which can only be identified together and in which we can no longer choose indifference.

States have shown that this question brings people together more than it divides them, and that it must be the subject of a commitment that can no longer be circumstantial.

By adopting the Marrakesh Pact, states have

• Returning to bilateral relations, it was suggested during the October 2018 session of the UN General Assembly that Morocco had changed its stance regarding Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence, which was denied at the highest level. What is Morocco's stance on the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo?

- As I mentioned earlier, Morocco and Serbia

Three cooperation agreements were signed in the fields of Tourism, Trade and Economy, as well as between the two national libraries taken a decisive step towards improving the lives of the 258 million migrants around the world, and reconciling the interests of countries with the human rights of migrants.

The Marrakesh Pact for safe, orderly and regular migration would, therefore, be the result of frank dialogue and a comprehensive approach, in which migration is analysed within all these dimensions.

As His Majesty King Mohammed VI has pointed out, “For the time being, the Global Compact remains a promise which history will judge. The time for celebrating its success has not come as yet.” It is up to us, now, to implement the Pact and to begin the “post-Marrakesh” era.

stand together in supporting the principle of territorial integrity and national sovereignty. The position of the Kingdom remains unchanged; we don't recognise Kosovo, in accordance with the fundamental principles of our foreign policy, which aims to ensure the respect of territorial integrity and reject any self-proclamation of independence. Moreover, Morocco supports and encourages negotiation process under the mediation of the EU. • How would you evaluate the 2 nd Joint Economic Commission between Morocco and Serbia, which took place in Rabat on 6th March 2019?

- Co-Chaired by Mr Mohamed Sajid, Moroccan Minister of Tourism, Air Transport, Handicrafts and Social Economy, and Mr Rasim Ljajić, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Trade and Telecommunications, the 2nd Joint Commission aimed to explore ways and means of strengthening cooperative relations and laying the foundations of a strategic partnership between the two countries.

On this occasion, Deputy PM Ljajić met the Head of Government, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Minister of Industry, Commerce, Investments and Digital Economy.

Three cooperation agreements were signed in the fields of Tourism, Trade and Economy, as well as between the two national libraries.

It has been suggested that a free trade agreement to be concluded, which would be the first for Serbia with an African and Arab country. Morocco and Serbia also jointly called for more cooperation in five areas, namely the automotive industry, the textile industry, agriculture, tourism and ICTs. • In which areas of the economy do you see possibilities to expand economic cooperation?

- I should say that there is plenty of room for cooperation. All sectors of economic activity can contribute to strengthening our bilateral cooperation. We are in the logic of complementarity and exchanges of experience and expertise. The main sectors to explore could be agriculture, renewable energies, tourism and ICT, as well as the automotive and aeronautics industries. ■ APRIL

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ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

Embodiment Of Smart And Robust Growth

Macroeconomic stability and low inflation allow Morocco to plan its further development ambitiously in a variety of sectors, spanning from technology to tourism and agriculture. As a fast growing economy, it is a role model for turning Africa into a prosperous story

W

ith a strategic position at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the MENA region, Morocco stands out as a regional leader and a gateway to the continent.

In recent years, the Moroccan economy has been characterised by macroeconomic stability and low levels of inflation, totalling +1.9% in 2018. The Moroccan economy remains solid and predominantly reliant on exports. With GDP of about 113 billion USD for a population of 34.5 million, its GDP growth reached 3.1% in 2018.

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Morocco has implemented ambitious reforms aming to develop its economy over the last two decades.

The Government of Morocco has put in place several sector-specific strategies in order to enhance key sectors like industry, energy, transport and infrastructure, health and education. The country has improved its ranking on the World Bank's Doing Business Index to 60th place.

Morocco's success in economic growth is recognised as having been a result of the implementation of effective business plan-

ning, but also the ensuring that growth impacts on all parts of society. The Government is working to raise its potential to ensure inclusive growth for the entire population.

Moreover, Morocco is certainly seen as a development partner for the fast-growing economies of Africa, through cooperation, support and the transfer of knowhow and expertise in different sectors, such as finance, agriculture, industry, electrification, social housing etc. Morocco has pledged to support Africa through many developmental and sustainable projects.

Moroccan companies are already present in more than 25 countries, making Morocco the top African country when it comes to investments in West Africa and the second at the level of the continent. This gives the Kingdom an entrepreneurial advantage and ensures it is a natural gateway for international investors.

INFRASTRUCTURE Morocco launched a major project to modernise its national road network: connecting 2,000km of

highways and 70 per cent of the main cities.

The port of Tanger-Med is another major project that would never have been possible without the clear visionary approach of the sovereign and which has brought change to Morocco's northern region. Due to this integrated hub of competitiveness, the country has reached the rank of 16th in terms of maritime connectivity.

Located at a point where 20% of world trade intersects, Tanger-Med is a global logistics gateway located on the Strait of Gibraltar and connected to 174 ports worldwide, with an annual handling capacity of nine million containers, exports of a million new vehicles, seven million passengers and 700,000 haulage vehicles. It is an industrial hub for more than 800 companies, representing an annual export turnover exceeding 6.4 billion USD, mainly in the automotive, aeronautics, agribusiness, logistics, textiles, trade and services sectors.

Thanks to its unique position at the conjunction of major maritime routes, Tanger-Med is a natural transshipment hub for global logistics flows. More than 100,000 ships a year and 200 cargo ships a day cross the Strait of Gibraltar on the maritime services of the world’s largest ocean-liners, connecting Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa.

These strong fundamentals have enabled the attracting of top-notch international players, such as MAERSK -APM Terminals, CMA CGM, EUROGATE, RENAULT-NISSAN, with the largest car plant in Africa, SUMITOMO, DELPHI, LEAR CORPORATION, VALEO and SIEMENS.

In terms of airport infrastructure, Morocco has 18 airports, including 10 that operate internationally. More than 18 million passengers transit through Moroccan airports annually.

The High Speed Train line (LGV), linking Tangiers to Casablanca, is the first of its kind to be implemented in Africa. The first segment of this LGV line between Tangier and Rabat was launched on 15th November 2018 in Tangiers: six million passengers a year, with an occupancy rate of 70%.

INVESTMENT FLOWS Morocco is a country that provides international companies with opportunities to invest in Africa, through the legal framework: bilateral agreements and FTAs that Morocco has signed with its partners (providing access to more than 1.3 billion consumers.)

The stability of Moroccan growth has allowed a rise in FDI inflows in recent years, with the attracting of an annual average of three billion USD. The inflow of FDI reached 3.3 billion USD in 2018, compared to 2.7 billion USD in 2017, which represents an increase of 28.6%. These investments relate to various sectors – from industry, energy, tourism and infrastructure, to finance, technology and telecommunications.

Morocco’s recent focus on export industries

makes the country a magnet for FDI, thanks to a strategy that is strengthening six key sectors.

This strategy is based on the National Pact of Industrial Emergence, which was launched in 2008 to develop aeronautics, the agriculture industry and the automotive, offshoring, pharmaceuticals and textiles sectors through the increase of exports and the modernising of local industries.

INDUSTRY The Industrial Acceleration Plan 2014-2020 aims to create half a million new jobs and increase the contribution of industry to GDP from 14 to 23 per cent.

The new strategy is based on creating synergies between large firms and SMEs. Canadian aerospace company Bombardier is an example of successful integration into the local business ecosystem. Alongside Bombardier, 137 companies have been established in Morocco that supply equipment for this company and many other aircraft manufacturers (Boeing, EADS, Safran Group, Daher etc.).

The creation of the new ecosystem also applies to other industries, including the automotive sector, which attracted investments from Renault, Peugeot and BYD. With a production capacity of 700,000 vehicles per year, annual APRIL

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production will reach a million vehicles by 2022.

This sector is already the leading export sector and has rendered the Kingdom a leader in the production of vehicles in Africa. More than 200 automotive suppliers are based in Morocco, while the facilities of more than 50 top ranked equipment manufacturers are under construction.

RENEWABLE ENERGIES The success of Morocco's revolution in the development of renewable energies continues to assert itself, making the Kingdom a model for international institutions that are working to expand in other parts of Africa – a continent that is set to rise to important developmental challenges.

creating an additional 1.15 million new jobs and tripling the income of three million people living in rural areas.

The “Green Morocco Plan” works through a dual approach to advance the sector. The first pillar is dedicated to the development of modern and high-added-value agriculture, while the second promotes the development of solidarity-based agriculture. The private sector plays a central role in the first pillar, while the Government is the driving force behind the second, through the development of a series of projects, ranging from diversification to the development of niche segments. The goal is to boost farmers’ revenue and alleviate poverty with support from banks and micro-credit agencies, in collaboration with cooperatives, asso-

Morocco aims to produce 42 per cent of its energy from clean energy by 2020 and 52 per cent by 2030. In order to achieve this, MASEN (Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energies) will provide an additional minimum capacity of 3,000 MW in 2020 and 6,000 MW in 2030, divided between solar, wind and hydro sources.

ciations and non-governmental organisations.

Argan Oil products are an example of successful high-value goods. Produced traditionally for domestic use, Argan Oil is now gaining worldwide recognition, both as a component of high-end cosmetics products and as a hearthealthy gourmet product.

AGRICULTURE Agriculture plays a significant role in Morocco’s economy, contributing around 15 per cent of GDP, generating 40 per cent of employment and contributing to over 10 per cent of exports.

The Moroccan agricultural sector is the largest in the region, with top exports including fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, olive oil, spices and nuts. In an effort to boost this sector, the Government has launched a strategic development plan known as the “Green Morocco Plan” (Maroc Vert). The aim is for agriculture to contribute 18 Billion USD to GDP by 2020,

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES The Moroccan information and communications sector is moving towards deeper integration with the global knowledge economy.

The “Digital Morocco” Strategic Plan envisages information technology as a cornerstone of the economy, while the strategy also extends beyond information technology. Technology is understood as a tool enabling the digital transformation of society at the economic and societal level, which would allow Morocco to benefit from trends and establish a digital

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economy. Morocco is already leading the way in outsourcing and offshoring. Thanks to its key geostrategic position, Morocco has the will and duty to play a role by creating an integrated hub between Europe and Africa.

TOURISM Morocco has become a benchmark for tourism development in the Mediterranean region.

Its Vision 2020 Strategy aims to sustain the success of tourism and place Morocco among the world's top 20 destinations, whilst also making it a reference model for sustainable development. Ecotourism is one of Morocco's prominent sectors, while congress, events and sports tourism have experienced significant growth over recent years. More than 12.3 million

tourists visited Morocco in 2018.

With its magical souks, gardens, palaces and top-class facilities, and its ranking as the number one tourist destination in 2015 according to Trip Advisor, the city of Marrakesh increased its statistics in terms of overnight stays in 2018. Various classified tourist accommodation establishments recorded a year-on-year increase of 10 per cent in 2018. As such, more than 8.5 million overnight stays were recorded between January and December 2018, compared to 7.7 million in 2017.

The Government of Morocco is also investing in emerging destinations like Dakhla, which has become the best destination for wind and kite surfing, as well as imperial cities like Fes and Meknes, known for their historical heritage. Meanwhile, the city of Ouarzazate in south-central Morocco, known as the gateway to the Sahara, has become a famous centre of filmmaking over the last four decades.■

INTERVIEW

ADEL EL FAKIR, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE MOROCCAN NATIONAL TOURIST OFFICE (ONMT)

We are operating in a very competitive sector, and therefore we are exerting great efforts to promote the “Morocco brand” all over the world, using digital means in 2019. We are glad that tourists from Serbia are increasingly choosing Morocco as their favourite destination

Love For Morocco Doesn’t Recognise Borders

M

ore and more tourists all over the globe are recognising Morocco as an excellent tourist spot. Tourists from Serbia are increasingly interested in various destinations within the country, which offers beautiful coastlines and a rich culture and tradition. We spoke with Adel El Fakir, Director General of the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT), about the tourism industry's prospects.

• Morocco has considerable assets in the tourism field. The diversified products on offer make the Kingdom a favourite destination for tourists from all over the world. The ONMT's mission is to promote and market the “Morocco brand”, both within the country and abroad. What activities does your Office take on the development of this sector and what are your priorities for 2019?

- Morocco is a tourist destination. It has a genuinely rich and diversified offer and enjoys a good reputation on the world stage. However, we operate in a very competitive sector that is changing constantly, so we must adapt to new channels of communication and marketing.

The priority for 2019 will be the digitalisation of our promotion, in which we will insist on the strong points offered by this resource.

KSAR AIT BENHADDOU

• The number of Serbian tourists visiting Morocco has tripled or quadrupled in recent years, despite the absence of direct flights, demonstrating a particular interest in Morocco as a destination. Don’t you think it is high time to propose – through tour operators – specific packages for the tourists of Balkan countries, who are eager for culture and discovery?

- We are aware of the interest among Serbian tourists in Morocco as a destination and the ONMT has already outlined its presence by participating in the country's main tourism promotion event, the Belgrade International Fair of Tourism, in both 2017 and 2018. In

order to promote a better understanding of our destination, promotional material about Morocco has been published in the Serbian language. Moroccan tourism packages are offered by Serbian tour operators, via flights from Budapest with Wizzair and Ryanair.

• How could the ONMT contribute to the establishing of direct flights between Belgrade and one of the Moroccan cities, to serve Serbia and the Balkan region?

- We are ready to study any partnership proposal coming from airlines and tour operators, with the aim of highlighting the assets of Morocco and its regions as a destination. ■ APRIL

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INTERVIEW

MUSTAPHA BAKKOURY, CEO of MASEN

Sustainable & Green Growth The country’s aim of strengthening its energy independence and supporting its socio-economic growth and development while protecting the environment has led to a number of investments in renewable sources of energy

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ince its Inception in 2010, MASEN, the Moroccan agency for sustainable energy, has been responsible for managing the country's ambitious plan to grow its portfolio of renewable sources of energy. MASEN's CEO, Mustapha Bakkoury, leads this massive task, which involves projects in solar, wind and hydro-power.

• Could you tell us about the work your agency does and the projects in which it is involved?

- Masen is today the driving force behind all 10 |

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renewable energy programmes in Morocco.

By the end of 2018, Morocco had installed capacities of 700 MW of solar power, 1,012 MW of wind power through 10 operational wind farms, and a capacity of 1,770 MW of hydro-power via 29 dams and pumped storage power stations throughout the Kingdom.

Masen’s portfolio of wind and solar projects will be expanded in order to achieve the target of a minimum of 52 per cent of the energy mix from renewable sources by 2030.

• Given the growing need for energy in Morocco, what are Masen’s projections on

supplying clean energy and supporting sustainable development in Morocco?

- Electricity generation represents a strategic challenge for Morocco: the country aims to strengthen its energy independence and ensure a sustainable energy supply in order to guarantee sustained socio-economic growth and development. Choosing renewables enables the Kingdom to support this development whilst protecting the environment.

The Noor Plan, which is the cornerstone of Morocco’s solar strategy, is expected to have a total capacity of 2,000 MW by 2020. It is also a major contributor to Morocco’s targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with savings of 3.7 million tonnes of CO2 forecast by 2020.

Masen has finalised the development of the multi-technology Noor Ouarzazate complex, which is one of the world’s biggest solar energy facilities and represents the perfect embodiment of Masen’s agnostic approach to technology.

The Noor Ouarzazate I plant, which opened in 2016, has a capacity of 160 MW of CSP technology.

Noor Ouarzazate II, which uses parabolic trough technology, has a capacity of 200 MW, while the future Noor Ouarzazate III will provide a capacity of 150 MW through CSP tower technology.

The Noor PV I project has a total capacity of 177 MW from three photovoltaic plants: Noor Ouarzazate IV (72 MW), Noor Boujdour (20 MW) and Noor Laayoune (85 MW).

The Noor PV II programme, Morocco’s second major photovoltaic programme, will be launched soon at various sites throughout Morocco. It will boast a capacity of more than 800 MW and will extend across multiple provinces (Laayoune, Boujdour, Taroudant, Kelaat Sraghna, Khouribga, Lhajeb, Guercif, Sidi Bennour and Jerada).

Noor Midelt represents the second major phase of the Moroccan solar plan. Noor Midelt I comprises two hybrid plants with storage, combining photovoltaic and thermal processes (CSP).

These two hybrid plants will have a capacity of more than 800 MW, with each of them having a CSP capacity of between 150 and 190 MW. Masen, which is now the driving force behind all renewable energy in Morocco, also supports the development of wind and hydro-power projects.

A minimum capacity of 2,000 MW of wind power is planned by 2020. Some 1,012 MW of capacity is already operational, while five major

projects are under development, representing an investment of 11 billion dirhams, that will provide an additional 850 MW of capacity by 2020: Midelt (180 MW), Boujdour (100 MW), Jbel Hdid (200 MW), Tiskrad (300 MW) and Tanger 2 (70 MW). With an industrial integration rate of 70 per cent, the five projects in

• Where does new technology and innovation fit into this?

- Regarding technology, the national strategy aims to optimise the domestic technological mix in order to implement a set-up that can provide a stable, flexible and smart system capable of incorporating an increasing share

Thanks to its strategic location, Morocco serves as a regional interconnection platform between North Africa and Europe this multi-site project draw heavily on local operators, providing a significant contribution to employment in the regions in which they operate.

By 2020, wind power will deliver annual savings of 5.6 million tonnes of CO2.

Thanks to its damming policy and pioneering hydroelectric programme launched in the 1950s, Morocco also boasts an installed hydro-power generation capacity of over 1,700 MW (with a technical domestic potential of 3,800 MW). This capacity has been boosted significantly in recent years, with a third of the Kingdom’s 148 dams having been built over the last 15 years.

Hydroelectric production in Morocco combines power plants with dams, and since the 2000s has incorporated PSPS technology – a particular type of hydroelectric installation capable of meeting the huge need for storage.

of clean energy.

In terms of innovation, Masen provides industrial projects with applied and pre-operational research and development expertise in order to nurture the renewables ecosystem and make renewable energy projects increasingly efficient, accessible and affordable.

As part of our work, Masen is fast-tracking the emergence of innovative green technology on the market. Masen’s R&D strategy involves identifying developing technology with high potential, and supporting it through demo and pre-production phases. This position equals a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of between 4 and 7. Masen R&D achieves this with the support of Morocco’s academic and innovation ecosystem, for which it organises various training courses and support incentives, such as the Masen Talents Campus and the Masen Talents Awards.

Finally, thanks to the Ouarzazate R&D platform – a 200-hectare-plus site designed to accommodate pilot projects – Masen R&D can offer domestic and international green technology leaders and developers the opportunity to test their innovative systems to scale in real operating condi-

tions. This valuable proposition has already attracted various multinational groups and starts-ups, who have formed partnerships with Masen R&D. Masen is also open to new forms of clean energy (tidal, waste-to-energy, electric mobility, etc.).

• As a leader in renewables in Africa, the Kingdom of Morocco is promoting a culture of cooperation, strengthening experience-sharing and supporting project co-development.

What is your agency’s strategy in this area?

- Thanks to its strategic location, strengthened by electrical transit infrastructure developed jointly with Spain and Algeria, and by project studies conducted with Mauritania and Portugal, Morocco serves as a regional interconnection platform between North Africa and Europe.

The Kingdom is working to implement programmes aimed at sharing its expertise in harnessing renewable energy with the South.

For this purpose, Masen has signed memoranda of understanding with several African countries, as shown in the accompanying map. ■ APRIL

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INTERVIEW

M. EL MAHDI ARRIFI, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE MOROCCAN AGENCY FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT (ADA)

Agriculture Is A Promising Field For Investments

M

El Mahdi Arrifi, Director General of the Moroccan Agency for Agricultural Development (ADA), promotes the Moroccan agricultural sector relentlessly, as one of those sectors that have strong potential for growth, diversification and the refinement of local products.

At the same time, the ADA is responsible for securing sustainable development and making agriculture a sector that's resilient to climate change.

The ADA aims to ensure the acceleration of the pace of investments in the agricultural sector, especially in terms of maximising the valuations of Moroccan agricultural products. In line with that, we will develop investment attraction kits to inform potential partners about the different investment opportunities offered in the Moroccan agricultural sector

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• The participation of your Agency in the Seminar "Doing Business with Morocco", which took place in Belgrade last September, was highly appreciated and allowed participants to understand certain aspects of the Kingdom of Morocco's strategy for agricultural development. Can you enlighten us regarding the strategy of your Agency in 2019, as well as the tangible actions you take to develop this sector?

- First of all, I would like to thank the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Serbia, which gave us the opportunity to present the agricultural development strategy “Plan Maroc Vert”, and to share with Serbian stakeholders and operators our experiences in the agricultural sector.

As you know, the ADA – which was created in 2009, as part of the overall institutional reforms of the Department of Agriculture – has the main mission of managing and following-up on the implementation of projects falling within the framework of the Green Morocco Plan “Maroc Vert” (PMV). This agency is also responsible for promoting and attracting investment in the agricultural sector. Moreover, it also supports programmes related to the development of

the marketing of local Moroccan products.

The ADA also deals with aspects related to sustainable development and climate change, as the national entity accredited by the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund.

Thus, the ADA's action programme for 2019 is focused on the continuation and consolidation of various programmes and projects launched under the Green Morocco Plan.

As such, the ADA will ensure the acceleration of the pace of investments in the agricultural sector, especially in terms of maximising the evaluation of agricultural products and doing so within the framework of the contract programme on development of the agro-industry (IAA), particularly in terms of attracting investments for the development of exports of packaged olive oil.

The ADA will also continue to develop and update investment attraction kits for the main value-added sectors, in order to highlight the different investment opportunities offered in the Moroccan agricultural sector for the benefit of investors.

Furthermore, the ADA will undertake several actions aiming to boost agricultural aggregation projects through the revision of approval and support procedures for these

bution channels, as well as strengthening promotional activities through participation in national and international events.

In terms of project management, the ADA will reinforce activities undertaken in terms of monitoring and evaluating the portfolio of the PMV's Pillar I and Pillar II projects.

Finally, the ADA will continue its efforts to mobilise funding from donors for the implementation of agricultural development projects based on solidarity-based agricul-

The ADA's action programme for 2019 is focused on the continuation and consolidation of various programmes and projects launched under the Green Morocco Plan projects, on the one hand, and, on the other, through the strengthening of awareness-raising actions among the concerned operators.

With regard to solidarity farming projects (Pillar II Projects (PMV)), the ADA will continue with the launching of nearly 100 new projects, while accelerating the pace of the implementation of ongoing projects.

It will also ensure the sustainability of implemented projects.

Regarding the development of marketing for local products, the ADA will continue programmes launched to upgrade groups of producers of local products, accelerate and facilitate the access of these products to supermarkets and other modern distri-

ture and the strengthening of agriculture's resilience to climate change. It is worth noting that these efforts were crowned by the ADA's 2012 accreditation by the Adaptation Fund (FA), and in 2016 by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), enabling it to directly access the resources of these climate funders. • It should be noted that Serbia is an agricultural country and has proven experience and expertise in this field, particularly in the areas of Smart Agriculture and Agricultural Research. The country organises the biggest agricultural fair in the Balkan region – the International Agricultural Fair of Novi Sad. As a member of the Alliance

of Central European Fairs (CEFA) and the European Federation of Agricultural Exhibition Organisers (EURASCO), this event is renowned for its number of participants and visitors, which grow each year, allowing us to bring together experts and agricultural stakeholders from around the world. Do you plan to participate in this Fair in the future, and what contribution can you provide to developing cooperation between Morocco and Serbia?

- Indeed, the Novi Sad International Fair is one of the most important agricultural events in the agricultural sector and the agri-food industry in the Balkan region.

With an awareness of the importance of this event, the ADA has agreed to participate in the 86th edition in 2019, through the staging of a conference on investment opportunities in the agricultural sector in the country through the Green Morocco Plan, and to inform Moroccan operators in the field of agribusiness of the possibility of participating in this large-scale event.

This first participation will allow the ADA to closely explore possible room for cooperation in promoting investment in the agricultural sector between Morocco and Serbia through contacts with major players in the Serbian agricultural sector.

In light of this participation, the ADA may consider the strengthening of its presence at this fair in the future. â– APRIL

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INTERVIEW

KHALID BENJELLOUN, CGEM VICE PRESIDENT

The global economy is currently going through the era of digitalisation, which needs to be capitalised on, in order to make information available to both sides.

The potential is enormous if we consider that Serbia could be the gateway to the Balkans and Morocco to Africa. That is what we have to consider in future if we are to improve our economic relations

We Need To Be Better Acquainted

T

he governments of both Serbia and Morocco have set themselves the goal of developing and modernising their economies in order to make them the most competitive and efficient in their regions, by adopting new economic guidelines.

Serbia aspires to join the EU within six years, following the Western model and regaining its leading position in the region with an economy that has stable growth.

At the national level, Morocco is a politically stable kingdom and has important economic assets, including the choice of economic liberalism.

Over the last ten years, strategic choices have been made to increase our economic attractiveness, including ambitious sector-specific strategies that modernise traditional sectors like agriculture and mining, and which develop innovative sectors, such as the aerospace and automotive industries and energy.

“As a result, we must look at the promising sectors between our two countries and pool our efforts to promote bilateral trade,” says Khalid Benjelloun, Vice-President of CGEM, responsible for supporting entrepreneurship.

“Trade remains weak. Total bilateral trade in 2017 was 184 million MAD, which – even with a 37% increase over the previous year – remains 14 |

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very low. Morocco imports mainly tobacco from Serbia and exports its cars to Serbia, which brings us back to the importance of diversifying our trade and communicating more.

“Our two markets are not well known by Serbian or Moroccan companies, and capitalising on the organisation of meetings, exchanges of delegations in Morocco and Serbia and facilitating access to information from our two markets would improve the economic and trade relations between our two countries.”

• What about the establishment of the MoroccoSerbia Business Council?

-The Business Council was set up during the seminar "Doing Business with Morocco", organised in September 2018 by the Moroccan Embassy in Serbia, with the valuable collaboration of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia.

This Seminar, which took place on the sidelines of the visit of Minister for Foreign and International Cooperation Nasser Bourita, was an opportunity to inform local businesses about the Moroccan commercial offer and, at the same time, reactivate the cooperation agreement signed by the CGEM with the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia in 2013. It was also an opportunity to set up the Business Council.

The next natural step would be to appoint the Serbian and Moroccan co-presidents.

• What steps have been taken to facilitate contact between the two business communities and to make known the potential and the opportunities offered by Morocco and Serbia?

- To begin with, and as part of the Business Council's action plan, we are currently working on a first action that will be based on the setting up of a series of newsletters in Morocco and Serbia. These newsletters will further promote Morocco, Serbia and their potential, providing an overview of the two economies and promoting the growth sectors of the two countries, but also highlighting the various benefits, such as offshore areas to promote triangular partnership between the Balkans and Africa.

This tool will improve our visibility, provide the image of an active and dynamic market, share our news, inform the different readers and highlight the needs and expectations of both markets.

Moreover, the organisation of economic meetings would also be a way to inform people about the potential that exists and facilitate contact between the two business communities by providing high-quality scientific content and organising B2B meetings. ■