Morocco-China Cooperation under BRI Holds ‘Very Promising’ Potential, Says Ambassador

The potential for Morocco-China cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is “very promising,” stated Moroccan Ambassador to China Abdelkader El Ansari. Thanks to its position as a gateway to Africa and its access to the European market, Morocco has become a key partner within the BRI, highlighted El Ansari in an interview with China Daily. He cited the Mohammed VI Tangier-Tech City as a flagship example of Chinese-Moroccan cooperation. “In this smart city, we hope to host Chinese companies to implement next-generation, high-tech projects, particularly in the automotive, electronics, and robotics sectors,” he said. The diplomat emphasized that Moroccan and Chinese companies can develop strong synergies, especially in the electric vehicle sector, as Morocco has become a leading automotive exporter, supported by a favorable business climate. “Producing electric vehicles requires raw materials, technology, and a skilled workforce. These elements are present in Morocco, which also benefits from access to other markets,” he noted. In this regard, China Daily recalls that in June, the Chinese-European electric vehicle battery group Gotion High-Tech signed a $1.3 billion investment agreement with the Moroccan government to build a gigafactory in Kenitra. On November 13, Gotion High-Tech and the Deposit and Management Fund (CDG) signed a memorandum of understanding to support this gigafactory currently under construction, the Chinese daily adds. The publication also highlights that Morocco and China established a strategic partnership in 2016 and, in 2022, Morocco became the first North African country to sign an implementation plan for the BRI. The growing cooperation between the two countries has produced tangible results. China Daily notes that China is now Morocco’s largest trading partner in Asia and its third-largest globally, with opportunities in infrastructure, energy, healthcare, education, and tourism. On the tourism front, the daily mentions that Morocco decided in 2016 to waive visa requirements for Chinese nationals, “quickly becoming a popular destination” for tourists from the Asian country, with visitor numbers rising from around 15,000 in 2016 to 200,000 three years later. “I am convinced that in the next three to four years, we will reach the goal of 500,000 Chinese visitors,” said El Ansari.