Morocco plans trains assembly plant- minister

Morocco plans to set up a train assembly plant that will be geared for exports as well as for domestic use as the country expands its rail network, the transport minister Abdessamad Kayouh said.

Briefing MPs on the latest developments on the rail sector, the minister said rail operator ONCF will add an additional 1300 of high-speed rails as it will also expand by 3800 normal railways to connect 42 cities instead of 23 currently.

The aim is to connect 87% of the Moroccan population with railways, up from 51% now, he said.

The expansion of the highspeed rails would cost 87 billion dirhams ($8.7 bln), he said.

The minister also expected the number of passengers using Moroccan railways this year to increase to 55 million people, from 53 million last year.

Morocco had signed a deal with French manufacturer Alstom to buy 12 high-speed trains to connect Kenitra to Marrakech before 2030.