RIAD (ARABIA SAUDITA) – Morocco, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, has undergone a profound industrial transformation over the past two decades, Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, stated Sunday in Riyadh.
Speaking at the preliminary session of the 21st General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), held in the presence, among others, of Morocco’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mustapha Mansouri, and the Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna, Azzedine Farhane, Minister Mezzour emphasized that this dynamic, initiated with the Emergency Plan and consolidated by the current orientation towards industrial sovereignty, is part of a continuing real vision that aims to make industry the cornerstone of the Kingdom’s integrated, inclusive, and sustainable economic development. This vision is now fully realized: industrial production has doubled over the last decade, as have exports, while the sector now generates more than one million jobs, he explained.
Regarding the automotive industry, he noted that the national integration rate has reached 69%, with a production capacity of one million vehicles per year and the ambition of reaching two million units by 2030.
Regarding the aeronautical sector, the Minister highlighted a significant qualitative leap, illustrated by the launch of the industrial complex dedicated to aircraft engines: a project that strengthens Morocco’s position as a global strategic hub and as one of the few countries in the world capable of producing this type of equipment. In this regard, he noted that the equipped industrial land holdings have increased from 10,000 hectares in 2021 to 14,500 hectares currently, spread across 157 industrial zones.
Thanks to these advances, Morocco today stands out as one of the most advanced industrial hubs on the African continent, exporting hundreds of thousands of components to over 180 countries, he stated with satisfaction, emphasizing that these achievements demonstrate the shift from a resource-based model to innovation-driven development.
Referring to the cooperation with UNIDO, Minister Mezzour emphasized that the partnership with this organization has brought significant added value to the Kingdom’s industrial transformation process.
“Since 2019, the Country Partnership Program (PCP Morocco) has supported several priorities, particularly the modernization of industrial zones, the strengthening of value chains, energy efficiency, clean production, and preparation for Industry 4.0,” he specified.
In this context, he noted that the extension of the partnership until 2027 opens a new phase of cooperation, allowing for the consolidation of joint action in the areas of sustainable value chains, decarbonization, the circular economy, innovation, sustainable industrial zones, and the strengthening of South-South cooperation.
“Under the leadership of His Majesty the King, Africa represents a strategic priority and a constant focus of the Kingdom’s economic diplomacy,” he stated, noting that this international meeting is taking place against a backdrop of profound transformations in the global economy, which require greater innovation and strengthened cooperation. He also highlighted UNIDO’s essential role in assisting countries in developing competitive, sustainable, and inclusive industries.
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(ITALPRESS).
