France resolved to support Morocco’s maritime sector development; Kingdom guest of honor at Paris International Agricultural Show
France is resolved to support Morocco’s sustained development in the maritime sector as part of the cooperation between the two countries, French ambassador to Rabat, Christophe Lecourtier, said on Wednesday.
“We know how active Morocco is and how it carries the voice of Africa and many countries of the South in this field, promoting great multilateral and bilateral cooperation,” Lecourtier told the press on the sidelines of the opening of the 7th edition of the Halieutis Fair, where France is the guest of honor.
In this respect, he welcomed France’s status as the country of honor at this year’s edition, adding that this choice was in keeping with the momentum French-Moroccan ties witnessed in recent months.
Some twenty French companies are taking part in the Halieutis trade fair, where they are presenting solutions and innovations to support the development of the Kingdom’s blue economy, he said, noting that the maritime sector is one of Morocco’s great strengths, with strategies drawn up at the highest level of the Kingdom.
“There are French companies offering solutions for secure communication, traceability and respect for the environment, which are part of the French-Moroccan partnership,” the diplomat added.
He recalled that the city of Nice will shortly be hosting a UN Summit on the preservation of oceans and biodiversity, issues that are at the heart of the Kingdom’s policy on the continental and international scene.
The 7th edition of the Halieutis Fair, held under the theme “Research and innovation for a sustainable fisheries sector”, brings together major stakeholders in the fishing, aquaculture, seafood processing and fisheries research sectors, consolidating the key role of this flagship event on the international fisheries scene.
The French diplomat also recalled in his statement that for the first time since its creation, the Paris International Agricultural Show (SIA) is honoring a foreign country, namely Morocco, a première.
SIA, set to take place from February 22 to March 2 in Paris, will honor Morocco as its featured foreign country, the organizers announced earlier this week.
During a press conference to present this major event, French Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Annie Genevard emphasized that this is the first time the show is honoring a foreign country’s agriculture, “a partner and friend of France.”
“Our farmers have much to learn from each other. French agriculture, also facing climate-related challenges, can greatly benefit from Morocco’s experience, especially in the area of water management,” Genevard stated.
France has had long-standing and varied cooperation relations with the Kingdom in the agricultural field, a cooperation that reflects the friendship between the two countries, she pointed out, adding that Morocco’s presence at the show continues the State visit recently made to the Kingdom by the French President.
For his part, Jérôme Despey, president of the SIA, highlighted that this year, the event organizers made “a heartfelt and forward-thinking choice” by selecting Morocco as the guest of honor. “We’ve been planning this choice for five years, and today we’re proud to have made it a reality.”
Morocco will be present at this major event with a central pavilion of 476 m², showcasing, among other things, certified products from Moroccan terroirs, crafted by cooperatives with centuries-old expertise, as well as agricultural products that reflect the richness and diversity of this sector.
Under the theme “A French Pride”, the 61st International Agricultural Show will welcome over 600,000 visitors. Around 4,000 animals will be on display, and 1,000 exhibitors will be present across 16 hectares.
