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Marrakech hosts ICAO GISS 2026, Morocco aims for regional aviation hub status
via Le Matin9 min read
The 5th edition of the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium GISS 2026 opened on Tuesday, April 14, in Marrakech, under the theme "Regional Solutions, Global Benefits." Organized by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics and the International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO, the event is held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. This international meeting brings together decision-makers, experts, and stakeholders from the aviation sector to address security, connectivity, and investment challenges for global air transport growth. The Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, highlighted Morocco's international recognition, evidenced by hosting this event and its commitment to initiatives like "No Country Left Behind." Morocco's airports served over 36 million passengers in 2025, connecting to more than 170 international destinations with 18 modern airports. The country plans to double its airport capacity by 2030 under the "Airports 2030" strategy and accelerate the digitalization of passenger services. Royal Air Maroc announced an expansion plan to increase its fleet to nearly 200 aircraft by 2037 and will launch a training program to enhance technical skills. Morocco is also investing in sustainable aviation, including clean fuels and green hydrogen, aiming to become a regional air hub, especially with the upcoming 2030 World Cup. ICAO Council President Toshiyuki Onuma praised Morocco's cooperation in organizing the symposium, cal
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Denza, a premium automotive brand from BYD, has launched in Morocco through Auto Nejma, introducing four distinct models and advanced flash charging technology. The brand originated in 2010 as a joint venture between BYD and Daimler, combining Chinese expertise in batteries and electric powertrains with German engineering and luxury. BYD fully acquired Denza in 2024, leading to its international expansion, including its arrival in Morocco. The Moroccan lineup features four models: the B5, a plug-in hybrid SUV starting at 629,900 DH, offering 80 km electric range and 780 km combined; the B8, a larger family plug-in hybrid SUV priced from 869,900 DH, with 100 km electric range and over 820 km combined; the D9, a premium plug-in hybrid minivan starting at 889,900 DH, providing 210 km electric range and up to 950 km combined, equipped with luxury features like heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, individual tablets, and a refrigerator; and the Z9 GT, a grand touring model available as a plug-in hybrid from 1,075,000 DH 776 hp, 203 km electric range or a fully electric variant from 1,119,000 DH over 1,156 hp, 600 km WLTP range. A fifth model, the Denza Z supercar, is also announced. A key innovation is the Flash Charging technology, which allows for up to 500 km of range to be recovered in just five minutes, with charging power reaching 1,500 kW. Morocco is the first country in Africa and the Arab world to receive this technology, and early Denza customers will receive free ac
Must ReadThe World Bank Group and Morocco have jointly adopted a new Country Partnership Framework CPF for 2026-2035, outlining a ten-year strategy to transition Morocco's economy from public investment-driven growth to one fueled by private investment, innovation, and job creation. This long-term vision aligns with Morocco's New Development Model, focusing on enhancing competitiveness, improving human capital, reducing regional disparities, and increasing climate resilience. Nadia Fettah, Morocco's Minister of Economy and Finance, highlighted that the framework is structuring, aligning public and private financing, knowledge, and reforms around a shared vision for the Kingdom's future, with job creation for youth and women at its core. Ousmane Dione, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan region, noted Morocco's remarkable progress but identified employment as a key challenge, citing a 37% youth unemployment rate in 2024 and a low female labor force participation rate of around 19%. The CPF addresses these issues through three pillars: strengthening business competitiveness by improving the business environment, stimulating competition, and facilitating SME access to finance; developing more inclusive, connected, and resilient territories by reducing regional disparities and improving infrastructure; and investing in human capital through support for education, health, and social protection reforms. The strategy emphasizes making the pr
Must ReadSpeaking at the fourth African Economic Symposium AES organized by the Policy Center for the New South PCNS, Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour highlighted that Africa's primary challenge is to transform its abundant resources into concrete economic development through industrial production, rather than merely exporting raw materials. He noted that Africa possesses nearly 60% of the world's arable land, a young population, and strategic resources like cobalt, oil, gas, and phosphates, yet much of the continent still faces poverty and infrastructure deficits. Mezzour emphasized that the issue is not Africa's potential, but why it has been slow to convert assets into tangible growth. He cited Morocco's experience, where economic opening and investments in infrastructure, such as port, road, and logistics networks, were crucial for industrialization, even if they incurred significant initial costs and did not yield immediate returns. The development of projects like Tanger Med and the automotive industry, now Morocco's leading export sector, demonstrate how strategic, long-term state investments can create conditions for new economic activities and job creation. The Minister also stressed the importance of local transformation of natural resources, using phosphates in Morocco as an example, where the country moved beyond extraction to develop processing capabilities and fertilizer production. Finally, Mezzour discussed how artificial intelligence could reduce technologi