French industrialists keen on enhancing partnership with Morocco

Some 20 French industrialists, currently on a visit to the Northern city of Tangier, expressed the particular interest that French economic circles grant to investing in Morocco and to establishing partnership with Moroccan peers.

In addition to Morocco's potentials particularly in the Northern regions, incentives to investments are significant factors in attracting investments and create major industrial projects, said Jacques Motte, an executive from French car-maker "Peugeot."

The French industrialist said at a meeting between a group of over 20 French industrialists, local authorities and manager of the city's free zone, the value of equipment purchased by his company at Moroccan specialized enterprises rose from 43 million Euro in 2000 to 82 millions in 2002.

The region's wali (senior governor), Mohamed Halab, surveyed assets offered by the region to multinationals, especially those operating in mechanic and electronic industries, and recent efforts to enhance road, railway and air transport infrastructure to encourage investments and boost economic activity.