Reforms initiated by Morocco over two decades have led to significant development (Minister of Transport)

Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 3:20 p.m.

Cairo – The reforms initiated by Morocco for more than two decades, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, have led to a significant developmental transformation, through the consolidation of the national economy, the modernization of infrastructure and the improvement of the living conditions of citizens, underlined, Sunday in Cairo, the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Mohammed Abdeljalil.

Speaking at the 5th Africa and Middle East Transport and Logistics Forum and Exhibition (TransMEA 2023), Mr. Abdeljalil indicated that these transformations have contributed to strengthening the confidence enjoyed by the Kingdom at the international level.

This allowed Morocco to host major events, in this case the BM-IMF Annual Meetings, the next CAN-2025, as well as the 2030 World Cup jointly with Spain and Portugal, he added .

The minister indicated that the Kingdom is preparing to implement the strategic vision launched by His Majesty the King in order to “place our country on the path to sustainable and global economic and social development”, while working to strengthen the pillars of the social state, supporting the transformation of the national economy and strengthening governance, digital transition and environmental protection.

The government official noted that the strategic role of transport and logistics in achieving sustainable development requires the establishment of modern, integrated and efficient transport systems, capable of meeting new challenges in a world faced with random scenarios. , such as the Covid-19 pandemic, geopolitical unrest, inflation and global warming.

Furthermore, Mr. Abdeljalil reviewed the great growth experienced by the transport and logistics sector in Morocco, explaining, in this context, that in addition to the major projects that the country has carried out over the last 20 years in the field of infrastructure, such as highways, railways, ports and airports, with investments exceeding 40 billion dollars, several fundamental reforms for the sector were approved, including the progressive liberalization of transport activities, as well as the adoption of an advanced highway code and a modern aviation code, in accordance with the rules applicable at the international level.

He stressed that rail transport in Morocco has experienced a qualitative leap in terms of network quality and services, thanks to the projects carried out, notably the high-speed line, the expansion of the rail network and a new generation of stations, adding that Morocco has accumulated significant experience in the financial engineering of major projects and in the search for financing solutions for their implementation and to ensure their financial viability.

The minister noted that the successes recorded by the Tangier-Med port project and that of the high-speed line make the Moroccan experience a reference model in this area.

Given the importance of air transport, the minister indicated that our country has taken decisions and measures aimed at expanding the range of services provided and developing their quality by encouraging international air transport through the conclusion of agreements more liberal with a certain number of countries, in addition to an ambitious strategy for the development of air transport companies.

Mr. Abdeljali noted that the growing adherence of countries to the unified air transport market project in Africa is a positive indicator which embodies the strong desire to achieve African economic integration.

He stressed that in order to consolidate these important achievements, Morocco will continue to implement projects structured according to medium and long-term strategies, aimed at modernizing and rehabilitating the transport system and establishing the necessary conditions for emergence of a modern transport system and a competitive logistics sector.

In this context, the minister revealed that Morocco intends to extend high-speed lines to the south of the Kingdom, develop a new urban and regional transport service by rail, as well as a motorway network, in addition to continuing the implementation implementing new port projects, which will strengthen Morocco’s role as an international and continental economic crossroads.

The minister called for strengthening common action and pooling efforts in order to make the transport and logistics sector an essential lever for developing the economies of our countries and increasing their competitiveness.