Morocco, Israel pave way for cooperation in aerospace industries

Morocco and Israel signed a partnership agreement that will help attract investments by Israeli civilian and defense aerospace giant IAI’s.

The deal was signed in Rabat by industry minister Ryad Mezzour and head of IAI’s Amir Peretz.

“This is a strategic partnership…that paves the way for a win-win aerospace industrial cooperation,” said Mezzour, adding that Morocco aspires to attract IAI investments in highly technological areas including engineering, innovation as well as maintenance.

For Peretz, the deal was part of building a new partnership between the two countries. He highlighted Morocco’s aerospace industry potential and investments.

Peretz and other senior executives of IAI paid a visit to Morocco’s main aerospace manufacturing hub in Nouacer near Casablanca and held talks with local manufacturers to identify investment opportunities.

“IAI is developing its activities in new markets and offers advanced technological solutions across the world,” said IAI CEO Boaz Levy in a comment on the deal.

Morocco has set up clusters for aerospace part manufacturers that supply Boeing, Airbus and Safran. So far, Morocco produces 38% of an aircraft as operators seek to increase that rate further.

Morocco has some 140 aerospace companies employing 17,000 and has invested in training aerospace engineers.