French electric and optic connectors group to open plant in Morocco

French group "Souriau," a world leader in developing, making and marketing of electric and optic connectors for industrial and aeronautics companies will open on October 16 an assembling plant in the Tangiers Free Zone (northern Morocco).

The French group had already created in September 2000 a branch in Morocco, with an investment of 14 million DH (US$ 1.4 million) that employs 90 persons and assembles 5,000 connectors per day, including 50% that are exported, and 7,000 other accessories.

Its annual sales is estimated at 8 million DH (about US$ 800,000). Souriau explains in a release its choice of the Tangiers Free Zone location by easier customs clearance procedures, fiscal incentives and proximity to Europe. The group has been conducting training for its Morocco staff required to master high technology skills in order to do without the product control carried out in France.

To date, the French site of Souriau has been supplying all the components, but the group intends to gradually develop the autonomy of the Moroccan branch. The Tangiers subsidiary will be conducting its activities for aeronautical and industrial markets with which the group has supply contracts.