Rabat – Yesterday in Marrakech, Industry and Trade Minister Ryad Mezzour announced Morocco’s visionary goal to double employment in its aerospace sector by 2030.
At the opening of the 7th Marrakech Air Show (MAS 2024), Minister Mezzour underlined Morocco’s political stability, strong infrastructure, strategic location, skilled workforce, and favorable business climate as essential factors positioning the country as a reliable aerospace partner and regional hub.
Over recent years, Morocco’s growing production capabilities have attracted top international partners, enabling domestic manufacturing of any aircraft component. The ultimate ambition, he noted, is to achieve full aircraft assembly within Morocco. “Morocco possesses solid expertise and recognized know-how to meet this challenge,” Mezzour said.
Khalid Safir, Director-General of Morocco’s CDG, noted the Marrakech Air Show’s role in showcasing Morocco’s ambitions in aerospace and defense, reflecting the nation’s commitment to this strategic industry.
Safir described Morocco’s aerospace sector as a “true success story,” with over 20,000 jobs created and an integration rate exceeding 40%, making it a central force in the national economy. He mentioned that CDG, through its subsidiary MEDZ, has supported the development of innovative ecosystems and quality infrastructure, with MEDZ establishing 16 industrial zones across Morocco.
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Royal Air Maroc (RAM) CEO Abdelhamid Addou also spoke on Morocco’s aerospace sector growth over the past two decades. RAM, active in this field since the 1960s, recently signed a 14-year plan to expand its fleet fourfold to 200 aircraft, increase annual passenger numbers fivefold to 35 million, and grow revenue from $2 billion to $9 billion.
Also at the 2024 Marrakech Air Show, Abdeltif Loudyi, Morocco’s Delegate Minister for National Defense, welcomed Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova and Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister General Zakir Hasnov for a series of discussions.
The meetings culminated in the signing of two cooperation agreements, which focus on military and technical collaboration in areas such as training, joint exercises, defense industry development, technical support, expertise exchange, military healthcare, and cybersecurity.
MAS 2024, organized by Morocco’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, the National Defense Administration, and CDG subsidiary MEDZ, reflects Morocco’s growing role in the global aerospace sector, with the UAE serving as this year’s guest of honor.
Running through November 2, the event spans a 12,500-square-meter exhibition space, hosting over 200 exhibitors and 75 official delegations from around the world. It includes aerial displays, dynamic exhibits, and high-level conferences addressing emerging trends and future challenges in aerospace.
In July, Morocco’s aerospace sector reported a revenue of MAD 10.68 billion ($1 billion) for the first five months of the year, marking a 17.6% increase from the same period last year. According to data from the Moroccan Exchange Office, this growth was largely driven by rising sales in the assembly segment.
