The French Minister of Commerce visits Morocco to “renew the economic partnership”

After almost two years of crisis and a virtual breakdown in trade between the two countries, France and Morocco are resuming exchanges and official visits. Starting this Wednesday, April 3 evening, the French Minister of Foreign Trade, Franck Riester, will be visiting the kingdom for 48 hours. The opportunity in particular to “

renew the economic partnership

”, in the words of French diplomacy.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita (right) and his French counterpart Stéphane Séjourne (left) during a joint press conference following an interview in Rabat, February 26, 2024. (Image from drawing). AFP - FADEL SENNA

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With our correspondent in Rabat

,

Victor Mauriat

The Franco-Moroccan relationship is good and is

off to a good start

. Reconnecting here means relaunching: in two years,

Morocco

has announced new investment and modernization projects in the country. Projects in which France wishes to involve its companies, particularly in the fields of railways, aeronautics and even automobiles. 

For this two-day official visit to the kingdom, the French Minister of Foreign Trade, Franck Riester, will be accompanied by the Director General of Business France, the President of the French

International Chamber of Commerce

as well as a representative of the Banque publique d investment (BPI). 

But what was especially noted by the Moroccan media were French investments in Western Sahara: this region disputed between Morocco and the Sahrawi separatists was

at the heart of tensions between Paris and Rabat

. The latter wants a clear position regarding its sovereignty over the region.

Project financing

But France

refuses to take the step

of recognizing the “ 

Moroccan nature of the Sahara 

”, and prefers a more economic approach. Thus, French external investment structures such as BPI or Proparco have, since January, been able to finance projects in this region which is becoming more and more attractive after the Moroccan proposal to open access to the Atlantic via the Sahara for the Sahel countries.

The objective of these French investments is therefore twofold: to reassure Morocco of Paris' support for its Sahara, without contravening international law, and thus to restore relations with an old ally with flourishing economic growth.

Also read: The relationship between France and Morocco “at a moment of renewal” after 18 months of tensions

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