"Spain is a reference partner for Morocco, with planned investments of 45 billion euros between now and 2050", Pedro Sanchez was quoted as saying in Rabat yesterday, Wednesday February 21, 2024, according to a misinterpretation of his words. As the Spanish press has made clear, it is Morocco that intends to invest this considerable sum, for which Spain has decided to compete.

"Huge opportunities are opening up, and Spain can't waste them," government sources tell El Pais, explaining that "the aim is to compete for part of the $45 billion that Morocco plans to invest in developing and modernizing its infrastructure up to 2050."

Among the priority sectors," continues the prestigious Spanish newspaper, "are some in which Spanish companies are leaders, such as water purification and desalination, renewable energies and rail transport.

"Enormous opportunities are opening up that Spain can't afford to pass up", notes the same media outlet, again quoting Spanish government sources.

Similarly, Europa Press reports that Sanchez placed particular emphasis on the opportunities open to Spanish companies as part of the modernization process initiated by Morocco, "which plans to invest 45 billion euros between now and 2050, notably in infrastructure, but also in the organization of the World Cup in terms of railroads, stadiums and other necessary infrastructure".

For some of these contracts, El Pais details, "Rabat has launched a call for tenders for the purchase of 150 wagons for medium-distance trains, worth 1.6 billion", noting that "Spanish companies, excluded from the Casablanca-Tanger high-speed line, are now in the fray".

In addition, "Morocco is planning to extend its 1,300-kilometer high-speed rail line from Oujda to Agadir, and to modernize its network of ports and airports. Added to this is the possibility of using Morocco as a platform for expansion into sub-Saharan African markets", we add.

As a reminder, Pedro Sanchez also praised the "great effort" made by Morocco to modernize its economy, highlighting the commitment of Spanish companies to this development dynamic, particularly in the fields of transport, renewable energies and water resource management.

His visit to Morocco on Wednesday was marked by an audience with King Mohammed VI.

H24info