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Morocco-China Cooperation under BRI Holds 'Very Promising' Potential, Says Ambassador
Morocco’s cooperation with China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is set to thrive, with both nations poised to leverage key strategic advantages, according to Abdelkader El Ansari, Morocco's Ambassador to China. In a recent interview with China Daily, El Ansari emphasized Morocco’s pivotal position as a gateway to both Africa and Europe, making it a key partner in the BRI.
A shining example of this growing collaboration is the Mohammed VI Tangier-Tech City, which aims to host Chinese companies focused on next-generation technologies. The city is seen as a hub for projects in high-tech industries, particularly in automotive, electronics, and robotics. El Ansari highlighted the significant potential for synergy between Moroccan and Chinese businesses, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, where Morocco has emerged as a leading automotive exporter. The country boasts a conducive business climate, complemented by raw materials, technology, and a skilled workforce—key factors in the production of electric vehicles.
In line with this growth, China’s Gotion High-Tech, a leading Chinese-European electric vehicle battery group, signed a $1.3 billion investment deal with the Moroccan government in June to build a gigafactory in Kenitra. Further collaboration was cemented in November with a memorandum of understanding between Gotion High-Tech and the Deposit and Management Fund (CDG) to support the ongoing construction of the factory.
This expanding cooperation, which was further formalized when Morocco became the first North African country to sign an implementation plan for the BRI in 2022, has already yielded tangible results. China has become Morocco’s largest trading partner in Asia and its third-largest globally, with notable opportunities in infrastructure, energy, healthcare, education, and tourism.
Tourism, in particular, has seen a surge, especially after Morocco waived visa requirements for Chinese nationals in 2016. This move has helped make Morocco a popular destination, with Chinese tourist numbers rising dramatically from approximately 15,000 in 2016 to 200,000 by 2019. El Ansari expressed confidence that the number of Chinese visitors will surpass 500,000 in the next three to four years.
With such promising prospects on the horizon, Morocco’s strategic partnerships with China continue to pave the way for deeper collaboration across various sectors. The growing ties between the two countries signal a bright future for both nations under the BRI framework.