Latest news with #AbdelkaderElAnsari
Morocco World
28-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Guest of Honor at China-Arab Business Conference
Rabat — Organizers have designated Morocco as the guest of honor at the high-profile gathering of the 11th China-Arab Business Conference, which kicked off today in Haikou, China. The two-day event is set to bring together over 1,000 participants, including Chinese economic operators and Moroccan entrepreneurs established in China. Organizers structured the conference around four key areas: energy transition, scientific innovation, cultural and tourism synergies, and financial cooperation. Ambassador to China Abdelkader El Ansari, representing King Mohammed VI, heads the Moroccan delegation. The team includes key players from Morocco's business landscape, with representatives from the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT), and major financial institutions, Bank of Africa and Attijariwafa Bank. Morocco is displaying its assets with a national pavilion on the Haikou International Conference and Exhibition Center floor. Visitors can learn about the North African country's investment potential, tourist destinations, and cultural heritage through compelling visual and written materials. During a dedicated session, attendees will also explore investment prospects in the Hainan Free Port. After concluding remarks, participants will tour economic zones across Hainan province, including visits to the Wenchang Space Launch Center and the Yangpu Economic Development Zone. This collaboration represents the joint efforts of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Hainan provincial authorities, the League of Arab States Secretariat, and the General Union of Arab Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture. Read also: AMDIE to Organize Roadshow to Promote Morocco-China Investments Since its founding in 2005, the Business Conference has evolved into a crucial platform connecting Chinese and Arab economic interests. Morocco, China growing relations The two countries have fortified their collaboration in various fields, including renewable energy, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange. Both parties have always shown an intention to boost their bilateral relations. During his short but significant visit to Morocco in November of last year, the Chinese President Xi Jinping said that his country is ready to strengthen its partnership with Morocco, reflecting the significance of bilateral ties between the two countries. Meanwhile, Morocco's Ambassador to China spoke earlier this year about the developing collaboration between Morocco and China. Referring to the launch of two direct connecting flights as a move that reflects their shared commitment to enhancing bilateral ties, the ambassador said that 2025 is a promising year that will mark a significant step forward in their cooperation. China's Belt and Road Initiative has opened avenues for joint projects in infrastructure, technology, and trade, strengthening Morocco's role as a gateway to Africa.
Morocco World
16-02-2025
- Automotive
- Morocco World
Morocco, China Establish Joint Lab to Boost Green Energy, Technology Development
Rabat – China and Morocco are stepping up to strengthen cooperation at all levels, including green energy. The two countries established a joint laboratory for green energy and advanced materials in El Jadida on Friday. According to China Daily, the laboratory aims to promote 'the application of related technological achievements' in Morocco and across the continent. Quoting a statement from State Grid Xinjiang Electric Company, the report recalled Morocco's renewable energy assets but highlighted how this potential is not fully unlocked. Morocco's renewable energy still represents a 'limited proportion of the overall energy structure,' it stressed, noting that the pace of energy transition in the country remains 'relatively slow' due to infrastructure challenges and technology integration. The joint laboratory, established in collaboration with Shandong University and Chouaib Doukkali University, seeks to focus on renewable energy sources like wind power. It also aims to be deployed for research and development of cutting-edge technologies. The establishment of the laboratory reflects the strengthening of bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries at all levels. Earlier this week, Morocco's Ambassador to China, Abdelkader El Ansari recalled the country's assets and potential to further attract more Chinese investors seeking access to European, Moroccan, and African markets. 'Morocco possesses an integrated industrial ecosystem that facilitates the installation of new companies,' he said in an interview with the Chinese daily Caixin. The diplomat drew attention to Morocco's automotive sector, noting that over 250 international companies are active in the country's automotive supply chain. This brings Morocco's annual production to over 900,000 vehicles, of which 85% are exported to 75 countries, making the country the leading producer of passenger cars in Africa. In a wide-ranging interview with Chinese economic daily Caixin, El Ansari further spotlighted Morocco's integrated industrial ecosystem and modern infrastructure. Tags: Africa and ChinaAutomotiveMorocco
Morocco World
14-02-2025
- Automotive
- Morocco World
Ambassador: Morocco Becoming Strategic Hub for Chinese Investment
Doha – Morocco's Ambassador to China, Abdelkader El Ansari, has detailed the country's expanding role as a strategic hub for Chinese investors seeking access to European, American, and African markets, particularly in the flourishing electric vehicle (EV) sector. In a wide-ranging interview with Chinese economic daily Caixin, El Ansari accentuated Morocco's integrated industrial ecosystem and modern infrastructure. 'Morocco possesses an integrated industrial ecosystem that facilitates the installation of new companies,' he emphasized, highlighting the country's strategic advantages for foreign investment. El Ansari spotlighted the Tanger Med port's capabilities, asserting that 'vehicles produced locally can reach Europe in less than a day, the United States in a week, and several African countries in just a few days.' The ambassador outlined Morocco's development trajectory, declaring: 'In 20 to 25 years, Morocco has built an environment conducive to investment through tax incentives, modern infrastructure, and trade openness.' He pointed out the kingdom's 56 free trade agreements with various countries and regions, facilitating access to international markets. Addressing the automotive sector's growth, El Ansari revealed that 'more than 250 international companies are integrated into Morocco's automotive supply chain, bringing annual production to nearly 900,000 vehicles, of which 85% are exported to 75 countries. This dynamic places Morocco as the leading producer of passenger cars in Africa.' Recent Chinese investments in Morocco's EV sector have been substantial. According to El Ansari, major Chinese companies including Yahua Group, Huayou Cobalt, and Gotion High-Tech announced factory projects between 2023 and 2024, representing a cumulative investment of over 33 billion yuan (approximately $4.6 billion). Chinese presidential visit and EV industry development The strengthening Morocco-China relationship was further crystallized by Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Morocco in November 2024. Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan welcomed President Xi at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, where the Chinese leader participated in traditional welcome ceremonies and convened with key officials including Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch. The visit lined up perfectly with some game-changing moves in Morocco's EV scene. Gotion High-Tech committed $1.3 billion to construct Africa's first EV battery 'gigafactory' near Rabat, while BTR New Material Group and Shinzoom invested $300 million and $690 million respectively in battery component manufacturing. Experts cited in a South China Morning Post report illuminated Morocco's strategic advantages. David Shinn from George Washington University and François Conradie from Oxford Economics Africa cataloged key factors driving Chinese investment. They pinpointed Morocco's proximity to European markets, reserves of key battery materials like lithium and phosphate, and green energy production capabilities as major attractions for investors. However, Chatham House Associate Fellow Ahmed Aboudouh cautioned that 'Morocco's role as a workaround for Chinese EV companies may put it at the heart of great-power competition.' This comes as the EU has approved tariffs of up to 35.3% on Chinese EV imports, while the US has increased tariffs from 25% to 100%. The bilateral relationship continues to flourish, with El Ansari noting that trade exchanges between the two nations surged by 13.9% in 2023, while Chinese direct investments in Morocco advanced by 20.2%. He also heralded the resumption of direct Beijing-Casablanca flights in January, reducing travel time to less than 14 hours, which he anticipates will further catalyze Sino-Moroccan economic and human exchanges.
