Booming cooperation between Morocco and China boosts investment

The solid diplomatic relations between Morocco and China are opening up new avenues for investment and cooperation, strengthening the Kingdom's position on the international stage and consolidating a strategic partnership that promises mutual benefits. 

The recent announcement of the arrival of the Chinese group Sunrise, world leader in the textile industry, to the Moroccan market with an investment of 2.3 billion dirhams (approximately 230 million dollars) is a clear sign of China's growing interest in Morocco. This project, which involves the construction of two industrial units in Skhirat and Fez, will generate 7,000 direct jobs and 1,500 indirect jobs, positioning Morocco as a key regional centre in the textile industry. In addition, it will contribute to the creation of an integrated supply chain, reducing logistics times and costs, and will improve the efficiency of the sector by managing international orders without intermediaries. 

During the signing ceremony, Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch emphasised that this investment reflects the distinguished relations between the two countries, promoted by King Mohammed VI and President Xi Jinping. The confidence of foreign investors in the Kingdom of Morocco is reaffirmed by projects of this magnitude, which will not only strengthen global value chains, but also improve the competitiveness of the Moroccan textile sector.

The impact of the Chinese presence extends to other strategic sectors such as the automotive industry, renewable energies and infrastructures. In this context, Abdelkader Al-Ansari, Morocco's ambassador to Beijing, emphasised that bilateral cooperation is experiencing notable growth, sustained by constant political dialogue and a convergence of interests on key issues. 

Taking into account the growing presence of Chinese brands in Rabat, Casablanca and Tangier, as well as the increase in Chinese cars sold in the country, this investment will play a fundamental role in providing local companies with the necessary materials and strengthening the competitiveness of Moroccan companies.

Morocco's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and its membership of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank consolidate its role as a strategic partner for China in Africa, facilitating access to African and European markets. 

A clear example of this cooperation is the interest shown by the Chinese steel giant Jinji Group in the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project, an infrastructure that will strengthen energy integration between Africa and Europe. According to Zhang Yuanyuan, Jinji's deputy director of international marketing, the group intends to supply the project with high-quality steel products essential for the development of this infrastructure, which has the support of the Moroccan and Nigerian governments and their partners.  

Strategic affairs expert Hisham Moatad emphasises in Al-Arab that this growing collaboration is not limited to the economic sphere, but also encompasses education, technology and cultural exchange, making the relationship between Morocco and China a model of multidimensional cooperation. Moatad pointed out that China is seeking to strengthen its influence through its economic arms in the midst of growing competition with Western powers, and Morocco is taking advantage of this context to consolidate itself as a regional and international actor capable of balancing its partnerships with the great powers. 

In line with this dynamic, Morocco maintains its commitment to South-South cooperation, actively participating in the development of partnerships and joint programmes between China and Africa. Thanks to its strategic location and its political history, Morocco has consolidated its position as a bridge for China to access African markets, especially in the western and central regions. 

The launch of direct flights between Casablanca and major Chinese cities such as Beijing and Shanghai will further facilitate the flow of investment and the strengthening of bilateral ties. With each new project, Morocco reinforces its position as a bridge between China and Africa, balancing its partnerships with the great powers and consolidating itself as a key player on the global stage.