Latest news with #UK-MoroccoAssociationAgreement
Ya Biladi
3 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco and UK sign series of agreements in water, energy, health, and education sectors
During the UK Foreign Secretary's visit to Morocco, which concluded with the UK endorsing Morocco's autonomy plan for the Sahara as the most credible solution to the conflict, a series of landmark agreements were signed with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to strengthen cooperation across critical sectors and drive mutual growth and innovation. One of the key agreements is a government-to-government partnership between the UK Department for Business and Trade and Morocco's Ministry of Budget, aimed at supporting critical infrastructure projects ahead of the 2030 World Cup, reads a joint press release on Sunday. In the water and ports sector, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the UK Department for Business and Trade and Morocco's Ministry of Equipment and Water, focusing on enhancing collaboration in sustainable water management, smart logistics, and green port technologies. For sustainable infrastructure, an agreement with Morocco's Ministry of Interior will facilitate partnerships on water management, waste management, and urban mobility solutions. In the field of trade and procurement, an MoU was signed with Morocco's Ministry of Industry and Trade to promote procurement cooperation, building on record trade volumes under the UK-Morocco Association Agreement. In education and innovation, the two countries signed an MoU to advance cooperation in higher education, scientific research, and innovation. Healthcare was another key focus, with an MoU between the UK and Morocco's Ministry of Health to support Morocco's healthcare transformation programme. This collaboration also includes work with Rabat-based Medical equipment manufacturing company Vicenne to introduce UK digital health solutions into the Moroccan market and a partnership with the Mohammed VI Foundation of Health and Science to promote UK expertise in medical equipment, hospital design, and academic partnerships. In the energy and climate sector, several agreements were signed. These include an MoU between UK Export Finance (UKEF) and SGTM to explore partnership opportunities in Morocco and across Africa, an MoU between UKEF and TAQA Morocco to support the transition to a low-carbon power generation portfolio and enhance Morocco's competitiveness, and a climate collaboration MoU between the UK Met Office and Morocco's Meteorological Office, focusing on climate services and environmental cooperation. In aviation, the Moroccan Airports Authority has been invited to visit the UK to explore partnership opportunities, as Morocco undertakes a major airport transformation programme.
Ya Biladi
3 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco, UK sign series of agreemets in water, energy, health, Education, and defence sectors
During the UK Foreign Secretary's visit to Morocco, which concluded with the UK endorsing Morocco's autonomy plan for the Sahara as the most credible solution to the conflict, a series of landmark agreements were signed with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to strengthen cooperation across critical sectors and drive mutual growth and innovation. One of the key agreements is a government-to-government partnership between the UK Department for Business and Trade and Morocco's Ministry of Budget, aimed at supporting critical infrastructure projects ahead of the 2030 World Cup, reads a joint press release on Sunday. In the water and ports sector, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the UK Department for Business and Trade and Morocco's Ministry of Equipment and Water, focusing on enhancing collaboration in sustainable water management, smart logistics, and green port technologies. For sustainable infrastructure, an agreement with Morocco's Ministry of Interior will facilitate partnerships on water management, waste management, and urban mobility solutions. In the field of trade and procurement, an MoU was signed with Morocco's Ministry of Industry and Trade to promote procurement cooperation, building on record trade volumes under the UK-Morocco Association Agreement. In education and innovation, the two countries signed an MoU to advance cooperation in higher education, scientific research, and innovation. Healthcare was another key focus, with an MoU between the UK and Morocco's Ministry of Health to support Morocco's healthcare transformation programme. This collaboration also includes work with Rabat-based Medical equipment manufacturing company Vicenne to introduce UK digital health solutions into the Moroccan market and a partnership with the Mohammed VI Foundation of Health and Science to promote UK expertise in medical equipment, hospital design, and academic partnerships. In the energy and climate sector, several agreements were signed. These include an MoU between UK Export Finance (UKEF) and SGTM to explore partnership opportunities in Morocco and across Africa, an MoU between UKEF and TAQA Morocco to support the transition to a low-carbon power generation portfolio and enhance Morocco's competitiveness, and a climate collaboration MoU between the UK Met Office and Morocco's Meteorological Office, focusing on climate services and environmental cooperation. In aviation, the Moroccan Airports Authority has been invited to visit the UK to explore partnership opportunities, as Morocco undertakes a major airport transformation programme. Looking ahead, two additional agreements are set to be signed in the coming days: an MoU between the UK's defence and security trade association, ADS Group, and Morocco's Agency of Investment and Export Development to strengthen links between the UK and Moroccan defence industries; and an MoU between BAE Systems, the Moroccan National Defence Administration, and the Moroccan Agency of Investment and Export Development to advance investment and capability development in the defence sector.
Morocco World
17-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
France, Morocco Seek to Strengthen Sports Cooperation
Rabat – Beyond diplomatic ties and trade, France and Morocco have pledged to strengthen sports cooperation. The two countries confirmed this interest on Friday during the 40th Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sports of the Francophonie, which marked the participation of French Minister of Sports Marie Barsacq. A statement on the French minister's visit from the French embassy said that the official met with Morocco's Minister of Culture Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid to discuss important areas to boost cooperation and bilateral ties between the two countries, particularly in regards to working with youth. During the visit, the French minister also met with Morocco's Minister of Education and Sports Saad Berrada, with whom she signed a joint declaration of intent regarding cooperation in the field of sports. The agreement covers international sporting events, high-level and elite sports performance, e-sports, as well as training. 'I welcome the signing of this cooperation in the field of sports, which formalizes the growing cooperation between France and Morocco on the topic,' she said, asserting the need to continue 'this privileged partnership' between the two countries that focuses on empowering youth through sports. France has long emphasized its commitment to continue to support Morocco in several projects in this area. France, Morocco Seek to Strengthen Sports Cooperation In April, the two countries discussed the 2030 World Cup preparatory campaign launched by Morocco, a co-host of the global tournament along with Spain and Portugal. France's Minister delegate in charge of Foreign Trade and French citizens abroad, Laurent Saint-Martin, during his visit to Morocco in April, announced the launch of the Franco-Moroccan Committee to support Morocco as hosts of the 2030 World Cup. Representatives from at least 10 French companies attended to promote French expertise in infrastructure for large international events. Beyond France, several other countries have also expressed interest in unlocking the opportunities Morocco holds as a co-host of the tournament, including the UK. Earlier this week, UK Minister of State for Investment Baroness Gustafsson announced that the Department for Business and Trade is 'committed to helping UK businesses export to Morocco.' This effort comes in line with the UK-Morocco Association Agreement the two countries signed in 2019 post-Brexit. 'Bilateral trade was worth £4.2 billion in 2024, up £0.6 billion in current prices from 2023,' the minister stated, stressing the importance of Morocco as a co-host of the World Cup. She concluded that this is an example of further avenues for growth for UK-Morocco business partnerships at the 2030 FIFA World Cup 'where opportunities are emerging for British businesses.' Tags: Morocco and Francesports
Morocco World
16-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
UK Seeks to Boost Cooperation with World-Cup Co-Host Morocco to Unlock Business Opportunities
Rabat – Morocco's 2030 World Cup co-hosting rights are contributing to the country's position as a leader at many levels, including business and trade. The UK announced this week its interest in unlocking business opportunities through boosting ties and cooperation with Morocco, which was confirmed as a co-host of the 2030 World Cup along with Spain and Portugal. Earlier this week, UK Minister of State for Investment Baroness Gustafsson answered an MP's question on the country's steps to strengthen trade ties with Morocco, stressing that the Department for Business and Trade is 'committed to helping UK businesses export to Morocco.' This effort comes in line with the UK-Morocco Association Agreement the two countries signed in 2019 post-Brexit. 'Bilateral trade was worth £4.2 billion in 2024, up £0.6 billion in current prices from 2023,' the minister stated, stressing the importance of Morocco as a co-host of the World Cup. 'An example of the opportunities for further UK-Morocco business partnerships comes with Morocco co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup, where opportunities are emerging for British businesses,' she concluded. In a recent interview with Morocco World News (MWN), Chief Executive Officer of UK Export Finance (UKEF) Tim Reid expressed his country's determination to seize the World Cup opportunity and the projects it brings to the country. 'In Morocco, we are focusing on World Cup-related projects as we are keen to be part of this exciting adventure,' he noted, outlining the agency's £5 billion commitment to Moroccan projects, positioning the kingdom as a strategic launching point for British commercial interests throughout Africa. He stressed how UKEF is determined to contribute to Morocco's projects, whether infrastructure or energy plans. 'Whether you are a government official considering a new infrastructure project or a private company with ambition in energy efficiency, we can help. In return, we ask for a commitment to sourcing at least 20% of the contract value from the UK,' Reid told MWN. In October 2024, a UK delegation visited Morocco to explore the country's World Cup preparatory campaign as well as to discuss ways to boost ties with the North African country at all levels. The delegation included 12 British companies, interested in Morocco's projects related to the global tournament. Tags: UK and Moroccoworld cup 2030
