Marrakech Air Show 2024: these agreements which will change the face of aeronautics in Morocco
Several partnership agreements in the field of the aeronautics industry were signed on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the 7th edition of the international aeronautics and space exhibition “Marrakech Air Show 2024” (MAS 2024). These partnership agreements were signed in the presence of the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Ryad Mezzour, the Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of the National Defense Administration, Abdeltif Loudyi, as well as other civil and military personalities, Moroccan and foreign. Signed between the Moroccan government and Embraer, the first memorandum of understanding aims to launch joint projects in the Moroccan aeronautical industry, covering the fields of commercial aviation, defense and urban air mobility. Initialed by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Ryad Mezzour, the Minister Delegate in charge of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies, Karim Zidane, the Director General of the Moroccan Agency for the Development of Investments and Exports (AMDIE), Ali Seddiki and the President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, Arjan Meijer, this agreement covers opportunities in the areas of commercial aviation, defense and urban air mobility, by providing a framework for building an integrated sourcing ecosystem in Morocco, promoting innovation and economic growth and contributing to job creation as well as the development of local skills. This cooperation project will also take into account a wide range of areas to be developed in progressive stages, including training and MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations). Other areas will be explored for potential collaborations, including the area of Research and Technology, particularly in decarbonization, clean mobility, sustainable aviation and sustainable aviation fuels. The estimated potential economic impact of all projects, when completed, including maintenance, repair and overhaul, training, ecosystem development and other areas, will reach US$300 million with the creation of 300 jobs by 2030, and up to US$1 billion and the creation of 1000 jobs by 2035. The second partnership agreement, signed by the Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, the Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of the National Defense Administration, Abdeltif Loudyi, and the president of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Hicham El Habti, aims to create a research center in advanced manufacturing in partnership with Boeing, called “The Africa Center for Manufacturing Excellence” (ACME). This center, of which Boeing will be a founding member of ACME, will be part of UM6P and will be located in Morocco (Nouaceur). ACME is the first Research and Development center in Africa with the “Boeing label” with an international vocation, based on a consortium model relying on the collaboration of companies from different sectors to develop R&D, offer innovative solutions and create added value for its members. The center will strengthen the Kingdom’s influence in the field of R&D, positioning itself on key technologies, including advanced manufacturing, industry 4.0, automation and new materials. During this ceremony, a third agreement was signed by the general director of Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG), Khalid Safir and Stéphane Burton, CEO of “Sabena Aerospace” for the strengthening of cooperation between the two parties in areas of common interest. At the same time, three agreements were signed between the SAFRAN Company and Moroccan partners as part of the creation of its new maintenance and repair workshop (MRO), dedicated to aircraft engines. Located near Casablanca airport, this project will be operational from 2026. These agreements are a continuation of the Memorandum of Understanding, the signing ceremony of which was chaired last Monday, in Rabat, by King Mohammed VI and the French President, Emmanuel Macron. Signed by Jean-Paul Alary, President of Safran Aircraft Engines and the General Director of the Moroccan Aeronautical and Space Industries Group (GIMAS), the first memorandum of understanding aims to meet the needs of the existing maintenance workshop (Safran Aircraft Engine Services Morocco 2) with Royal Air Maroc and this new workshop dedicated to LEAP. This agreement provides, from the first quarter of 2025, for the development and implementation of training courses that can accommodate between 60 and 100 trainees per year. The latter will benefit from existing or developing infrastructures, within leading training institutes. The second agreement signed by the general director of CDG, Khalid Safir and the president of Safran Aircraft Engines, Jean-Paul Alary, concerns the offer to sell land of approximately 6 hectares with MedZ (company owned by CDG). The third agreement, signed by Jean-Paul Alary, President of Safran Aircraft Engines, and Hamid Benbrahim El Andaloussi, President of Midparc, concerns the establishment of the new workshop within the Midparc free zone, located in the Casablanca airport area and the signing of a service contract with Midparc relating to the implementation of the associated real estate project. This new maintenance site will ultimately employ more than 600 people. It will have a maintenance capacity of 150 engines per year and will thus respond to the success of the LEAP engine, in particular for airlines located in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Placed under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, Marrakech Air Show 2024, which brings together sector leaders around major themes, aims to be both a leading showcase of the latest innovations in the sector and a meeting platform for professionals looking for business opportunities. Organized jointly by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the National Defense Administration and MEDZ, a subsidiary of CDG, this 7th edition, of which the United Arab Emirates is the guest of honor, highlights the growing importance of Morocco on the world aeronautical scene.
