Morocco: French government arrives with heavyweight

By:Souleymane Loum

The relationship between Morocco and France is encountering a substantial revival after years of diplomatic tension, with business relations accelerating notably following visits by Moroccan royals to the Elysée Palace in Paris. This fast development is highlighted by the upcoming visits of two key figures from the French government: Stéphane Séjourné, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, confirmed for February 25, and Bruno Le Maire, the Minister of the Economy, scheduled from April 24 to 26, 2024.

Le Maire’s visit, as reported by Africa Intelligence on February 23, will not be a solitary affair; he is designated to lead a substantial delegation of French business leaders to Morocco. The highlight of this visit will be the Morocco-France Business Forum in Rabat on April 26, co-chaired by the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) and the French Business Movement (MEDEF), representing the two nations’ largest employer organizations, under the leadership of Chakib Alj and Frédéric Sanchez, respectively.

According to a CGEM source noted by the Moroccan newspaper Le360, the delegation will constitute between 100 and 150 French business executives, focusing on critical sectors such as agriculture, agri-food, energy, and sustainable cities.

The French Minister is also anticipated to have a working meeting with his Moroccan counterpart, Nadia Fettah, and will be accompanied by prominent figures including Ross McInnes, the CEO of the aerospace giant Safran. McInnes, who is active in the kingdom and serves as the president of the Morocco-France Business Council within MEDEF, emphasises the strategic importance of this visit.

Similarly, the delegation will include Franck Riester, the Minister Delegate in charge of Foreign Trade, Attractiveness, Francophonie, and French nationals abroad, signifying the comprehensive nature of this endeavor.

This series of visits seeks to rejuvenate the partnership between the private sectors of both countries, emphasizing the significant presence of the French private sector in Morocco. With over 1,300 subsidiaries of French companies operating more than 80,000 people in Morocco, this collaboration highlights the creation of shared value chains in industry and services, underscoring the “made with Morocco” ethos promoted by MEDEF.

Additionally, Gérard Larcher, the president of the French Senate, has revealed his visit to Morocco in April, accompanied by a substantial delegation of French senators, as per his statement on Radio France Internationale (RFI). This sequence of high-profile visits reflects the deepening bilateral relations and mutual interest in strengthening economic and diplomatic ties between Morocco and France.