After almost two years of crisis and a virtual breakdown in trade between the two countries, France and Morocco are resuming exchanges and official visits. Starting this Wednesday, April 3 evening, the French Minister of Foreign Trade, Franck Riester, will be visiting the kingdom for 48 hours. The opportunity in particular to “ renew the economic partnership », in the words of French diplomacy.
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With our correspondent in Rabat, Victor Mauriat
The Franco-Moroccan relationship is beautiful and well off. Renewing means here relaunching: in two years, the Morocco announced new investment and modernization projects in the country. Projects in which France wishes to involve its companies, particularly in the fields of railways, aeronautics and even automobiles.
For this two-day official visit to the kingdom, the French Minister of Foreign Trade, Franck Riester, will be accompanied by the Director General of Business France, the President of the Chamber of International Trade French bank as well as a representative of the Public Investment Bank (BPI).
But what was especially noted by the Moroccan media were French investments in Western Sahara: this region disputed between Morocco and the Sahrawi separatists was at the heart of tensions between Paris and Rabat. The latter wants a clear position regarding its sovereignty over the region.
Project financing
But France refuses to take the plunge of the recognition of the “ Moroccanness of the Sahara ”, and prefers a more economical approach. Thus, French external investment structures such as BPI or Proparco have, since January, been able to finance projects in this region which is becoming more and more attractive after the Moroccan proposal to open access to the Atlantic via the Sahara for the Sahel countries.
The objective of these French investments is therefore twofold: to reassure Morocco of Paris’ support for its Sahara, without contravening international law, and thus to restore relations with an old ally with flourishing economic growth.
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