Construction launched for new international airport in Morocco

The construction of a new international airport in the northeastern Moroccan city of Nador was launched on Monday at a ceremony chaired by Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi.

The new facility, extending over 274 ha, will require an investment of $45.5 million (437 million dh). After completion, it is expected to create 450 jobs and contribute to increasing and facilitating the flow of Moroccans living abroad.

The airport is part of Morocco's efforts to break the isolation of the northern regions and promote new economic activities.

While in Nador, the prime minister also chaired the meeting of the governing board of the agency in charge of developing the northern regions. During the meeting, Youssoufi stressed the importance that the government grants to developing these regions and praised the work of the agency created by King Hassan II.

He added that the agency has conducted a diagnosis of the problems facing this region and identified its assets, as a first step toward defining a general development strategy and an integrated economic and social program.

These actions, he explained, consist in supporting infrastructure projects, improving the population's access to basic services such as electricity, drinking water, health and education and making of the region a production pole, Map reported.

The prime minister said the 1998 draft finance bill provides for fiscal incentives for investments in the region in an effort to stimulate private initiatives and promote innovation and partnership. He further called on Moroccans living abroad to contribute their capital, know-how and expertise in this endeavor.