Rabat – Morocco’s Minister of Trade, Ryad Mezzour, outlined the North African country’s industrial prowess at the opening session of the Marrakech Airshow, which kicked off today.
The eighth edition of the airshow brings together international companies and representatives to discuss the latest industry developments and gives companies a platform to showcase their latest technologies.
In his speech, Mezzour said Morocco has built up industrial and technological capabilities over the past two decades.
The minister said this development has enabled the country to produce some of the most complex systems in the aerospace and defense sector.
Mezzour also said that Morocco has the industrial and technological capabilities to expand production, ensure timely delivery, and meet quality and competitiveness standards, adding that the country’s industrial ecosystem can now produce complex systems.
Morocco is not limited to manufacturing systems, Mezzour added, citing the country’s efforts to also design these systems to strengthen its ability to respond to investors’ needs in terms of skills, time, production capacity, and competitiveness.
For the minister, Morocco has become an attractive investment platform, not only because of its tourism capabilities but also because of the competitiveness that is appealing to investors.
The Marrakech International Airshow will run until October 10, featuring different air displays and exhibitions showcasing next-generation aircraft, networking, high-level meetings, and conferences to discuss industrial sovereignty, securing value chains, digitalization, and more.
Morocco’s aerospace push
The aerospace sector generated export revenues that amounted to over $2.54 billion in 2024, attracting many companies, including global leaders that operate in the North African country.
Morocco’s portfolio boasts 150 companies operating in the country, with the government offering 0% corporate tax for the first five years and around 8% for the following 20 years.
The North African country also offers exemption from VAT, duty-free equipment imports, in addition to subsidized land and utilities.
Morocco is working to strengthen its industrial sovereignty, with plans to produce its first aircraft engine by 2027 or 2028 and reach full production capacity by 2030, Mezzour told Bloomberg last year.
He said Morocco could become one of only five countries worldwide capable of producing engines of this level.
Morocco also aims to boost the skills of its young workforce in the industrial sector through vocational training, engineering education, and investment in advanced industrial capabilities.
Mezzour described the country’s progress in aerospace manufacturing as akin to “reaching the semifinals of the World Cup in manufacturing.”
