Morocco, France wrap up business summit with 20 deals

Moroccan and French businessmen ended a summit, on the sidelines of a visit by the French President to Rabat, with the signing of twenty agreements covering key areas of desalination, finance, banking, water management, and education.

Speaking at the closing of the event, President Macron urged the business community in both countries to work together following the new momentum ushered by a renewed Moroccan-French partnership.

He said road is now paved for French companies to invest in the Moroccan Sahara.

The deals include a Memorandum of Understanding for establishing a strategic partnership in the field of seawater desalination, signed by the Minister of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, and Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia.

A Letter of Intent for a loan from the French Development Agency, amounting to 25 million euros, for the Guelmim-Oued Noun region to finance its regional development plan.

A Letter of Intent for AFD support of 100 million euros for the development plan of the Casablanca-Settat region, which will contribute to the preparation for hosting the 2030 World Cup.

An Alliance between École Centrale Casablanca, UM6P, and the Group of Écoles Centrale de France for the creation of 5 ecosystems of research, innovation, and training to address the major scientific and technological challenges of Morocco and Africa.

A Partnership Agreement between Bpifrance and Attijariwafa bank.

A Cooperation Agreement between CFCIM and Bank of Africa for the development of French investments in Morocco or Africa.

A Memorandum of Understanding for the commercialization of products and solutions for Regional Multiservice Companies.

A Declaration of Intent for the supply of a telecommunications satellite by Thales Alenia Space.

A Cooperation Agreement between MGH Energy and Petrom within the framework of the Janassim project for the production of e-fuels (Dakhla region).

A Joint Venture Memorandum of Understanding between XXII and ABA Technology, Artificial Intelligence for a sustainable future in the EMEA region.

An Extension of the first partnership signed between the Hydrogen Task Force (MEDEF International) and the Green H2 Cluster.

An entry of InnovX (OCP subsidiary) into the capital of the French start-up NetZero, specializing in biochar (biomass that allows carbon storage).

A Partnership Agreement between Electricians Without Borders (ESF) and Morocco Future Energy Leaders (MFEL) on access to electricity for vulnerable populations.

A Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation of a pilot digital solution for water resource management, financed by a FASEP.

A Memorandum of Understanding for the creation of a regional technical center for the development of oilseed production in Morocco.

A Framework Memorandum of Understanding for international cooperation between Intercereals, Arvalis, OCP, and UM6P.

A Framework Partnership Agreement between UM6P and OSUI (International School and University Office) regarding the development of education professions.

An AFD Financing Agreement of 50 million euros in support of Morocco’s gender equality policy (gender-sensitive budgeting, women’s economic empowerment).

A Letter of Intent for AFD financing of 100 million euros for the reform of social protection in Morocco (health insurance component).

A Partnership Roadmap between the Directorate of Treasury and External Finance and the Directorate General of the Treasury.