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Rabat – The Morocco TraIndustry (MTI) cluster, created to invigorate the national railway sector, made its inaugural appearance at InnoTrans — the premier global trade fair for mobility and rail transport — which took place in Berlin from September 24 to 27.
Hosted by Messe Berlin, InnoTrans 2024 brings together 2,940 exhibitors from 59 countries, presenting 226 global innovations within an exhibition space of 200,000 square meters. The event focuses on the latest developments in mobility and is divided into five main segments: railway technology, railway infrastructure, public transport, interior design, and tunnel construction.
MTI’s participation at InnoTrans 2024 is designed to endorse Morocco’s visionary railway development plan. The cluster seeks to establish an integrated national ecosystem, combining both public and private operators, with a strong technological focus to create economic and social benefits.
Founded in 2021, this emerging cluster aspires to position itself as a central figure in Morocco’s forward-thinking railway industry. At a dedicated stand, it presented its goals and projects while engaging with professionals from the German and international railway sectors.
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MTI President Mohammed Smouni stated to MAP that the central aim is to bring together diverse industrial stakeholders within an exhaustive national ecosystem, similar to those in the automotive and aerospace sectors.
“Ultimately, the cluster aims to manufacture ‘Made in Morocco’ trains for export,” he added. This is all part of the efforts of Morocco’s delegation at InnoTrans 2024, led by Mohamed Rabie Khlie, director general of the National Railway Office (ONCF).
The “Made in Morocco” trains initiative is part of a larger effort to strengthen the country’s railway industry and stimulate economic growth. By prioritizing local production, Morocco aims to lessen its reliance on imports and cultivate a competitive manufacturing sector.
In the coming years, this initiative is expected to strengthen the railway sector’s competitiveness and boost its export potential. The ecosystem already includes key Moroccan and international industrial partners, such as Alstom, along with specialized startups, universities, and research institutions.
Smouni, also the deputy director general of ONCF, noted Morocco’s competitive edge in the automotive and aerospace industries, mentioning the country’s substantial prospect of emerging as a leading actor in the railway sector.
Meanwhile, ONCF Director General Khlie talked about Morocco’s strategic positioning in mobility and railway industry during the opening panel. He also presented the new railway development program, which includes plans for extending the high-speed rail line to Marrakech, launching local transport projects, acquiring new trains, and renewing the current fleet.
InduMorocco received additional global recognition at the trade fair, as German Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport, Volker Wissing, lauded Morocco’s partnership in its mobility, transport, and rail initiatives.
Also in the transport sector, Morocco is advancing its green hydrogen initiatives by leveraging its strategic ports along key shipping routes to pursue sustainable decarbonization within an environmentally safe framework.
