Rabat: Major development projects initiated by Morocco, under the enlightened leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, were the focus of talks held here on Thursday between Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch and President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Odile Renaud-Basso.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the discussions, attended by Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah, were an opportunity to welcome the choice of Morocco to host the 5th Africa Investment Forum (AIF). This event, placed under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, is scheduled for December 4-6 in Rabat, and will feature major players aiming to facilitate the financing and implementation of development projects on the African continent.

On this occasion, Akhannouch welcomed EBRD’s dynamic approach to supporting infrastructure projects and accelerating energy transition in Morocco, aligning with the vision of HM King Mohammed VI. He emphasized the importance of developing a new strategy linking Mo
rocco to the EBRD for the 2024-2029 period. This strategy aims to support green economy projects in the Kingdom, bolster the competitiveness of the private sector, reinforce social cohesion, and reduce spatial disparities.

Renaud-Basso highlighted that the EBRD has made substantial investments in Morocco, amounting to over £400 million this year. These investments focus primarily on energy transition, carbon-neutral sectors, women’s integration, and the digitization of the economy. She stressed that the Bank’s priorities align with the Kingdom’s growth priorities.

The two officials also reviewed cooperative relations between Morocco and the EBRD. Morocco became a deployment area for the Bank’s operations in 2012 and has since benefited from investments worth £4.74 billion, with 77% directed towards financing the private sector.