MOROCCO – The Kingdom of Morocco has revealed plans to allocate US$4 billion annually for the next 10 years for infrastructure upgrade projects.

Morocco’s Ministry of Equipment, Transport, and Logistics revealed the Kingdom’s plans during a parliamentary session in the country’s capital, Rabat.

Minister of Equipment, Transport and Logistics, Abdelkader Amara while delivering the Kingdom’s plans explained that the ministry is currently focusing on water infrastructure projects, under Morocco’s 2020-2027 water plan that King Mohammed VI launched in January.

According to Amara, the 2020 water projects will continue as planned as they Ministry’s investments were not affected by the recently-approved amendments to the 2020 Finance Bill.

“The ministry is concerned with MAD 61 billion (US$6.35 billion) for developing water supply and strengthening drinking water in rural areas, in coordination with other ministries, with a budget of MAD 27 billion (US$2.81 billion),” Amara said.

In addition to water projects, the ministry is developing several ports, including the nearly completed Nador West Med Port.

The ministry of equipment, transport and logistics is also looking to establish a public-private partnership for the management of the new Kenitra Atlantic Port.

According to a report by Morocco World News, the partnership’s budget for the Kenitra Atlantic Port will reach MAD 5 billion (US$520 million).

Amara also revealed to parliament that the construction project of the Dakhla Atlantic Port in southern Morocco is ongoing and will cost a total budget of MAD 10 billion (US$1.04 billion).

In terms of railways, Amara reveled that the ministry will create two connections for transporting cargo with the ports of Nador and Safi.

The ministry of equipment, transport and logistics is expected to spend around MAD 3.2 billion (US$333 million) on the first railway while the second will have a budget of MAD 300 million (US$31.2 million).

Additionally, Amara revealed that the ongoing logistics zones across Morocco will cost more than MAD 650 million (US$67.7 million).

The minister of equipment, transport, and logistics further revealed that the Ras El Ma logistics zone, planned in the Fez-Meknes region, will cover 100 hectares and cost MAD 300 million (US$31.2 million).

Modern infrastructure development, such as ports, airports, and rail links, is a top government priority.

Through various infrastructure strategic plans, Morocco aims to transform the country into Africa’s most advanced economy.

The country for instance has plans to build an additional 2,100 miles of expressway and 1,300 miles of highway by 2030, at an expected cost of US$9.6 billion.

Morocco’s 2040 Rail Strategy (“Plan Rail Maroc 2040”) another example of Morocco’s commitment to infrastructure development.

The Plan Rail Maroc 2040 is a long-term overall strategy for the development of the national rail network and its various components by 2040 at an estimated cost of US$37.5 billion.

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