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Doha – John Humphrey, the UK Trade Commissioner for Africa, has announced that a delegation of 12 British companies will visit Morocco from October 15 to 17, to explore partnership opportunities as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
In a tweet on X, Humphrey stated: “As Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, a delegation of 12 UK companies will visit Morocco from October 15 to 17, 2024 to explore partnership opportunities.”
The announcement was accompanied by a short video produced by the UK government highlighting investment opportunities in Morocco ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
The video outlined Morocco’s plans to expand and develop a modern, world-class infrastructure network to deliver the tournament.
It also highlighted the rich history of collaboration between UK and Moroccan businesses on infrastructure development projects, such as the Rabat Grande Theatre and Anfa Place in Casablanca.
Additionally, the video showcased the UK’s world-leading expertise in sports infrastructure, from architecture and design to project management, engineering, and professional services.
UK businesses have played key roles in delivering iconic sporting events, including the Lusail Stadium in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the 2012 London Olympics.
The delegation’s visit follows a meeting in February between Fouzi Lekjaa, Morocco’s Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget, and Javier Encinas, a senior official at the British Infrastructure and Major Projects Authority (IPA).
The IPA delegation visited Morocco to explore opportunities to support the implementation of major projects and infrastructure programs, particularly in the run-up to the 2030 World Cup.
According to a report by Arabian Gulf Business Insight (AGBI), Morocco has announced an investment package valued at MAD 42 billion ($4.4 billion) since winning the bid to co-host the 2030 World Cup.
The country aims to deliver a $1.2 billion economic uplift, primarily driven by increased tourism and infrastructure development.
Morocco’s plans include building the world’s largest stadium, the Grand Stade Hassan II de Casablanca at Benslimane, with a capacity of more than 115,000 spectators.
The country also intends to upgrade six other football stadiums at a total cost of around MAD 20.5 billion ($2.1 billion).
To capitalize on the tournament’s potential, Morocco aims to increase its hotel capacity by up to 150,000 new beds and attract 26 million tourists by 2030.
The collaboration between British and Moroccan companies is expected to play a crucial role in delivering a successful and memorable tournament while leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Read also: Report: 2030 World Cup Expected to Boost Morocco’s Economy by $1.2 Billion
