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Spotlight | Morocco
French giants shiver as Rabat-Paris relations remain icy

French companies such as Veolia, Alstom and BNP Paris are struggling in Morocco against a backdrop of diplomatic tensions and have been forced to cut back their activities. [...]

Published on 18/08/2023 at 05:40 GMT Reading time 5 minutes

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Business

Set up email notifications for these topics

AB15 Ventures
Abdelouafi Laftit
Adil Douiri
Agence nationale des ports
Ahmed Rahhou
Al Mada
Alstom
Amelia Lakrafi
Amendis
Ask Capital
Axa assistance Maroc
Axa assurances Maroc
Aziz Akhannouch
Bensalah
BMCI
BMCI Asset management
BNP Paribas
Bouygues
Brahim Mojahed
Bruno Fuchs
Business France
Castel
Chakib Alj
China Railway Design Corp
Christophe Béchu
Christophe Lecourtier
CIH Bank
Colas
Competition Council
Confederation Generale des Entreprises du Maroc
Crédit Agricole
Credit du Maroc
Digifi
Egis
Eiffage
Emmanuel Macron
Engie
Euro-Africaine des eaux
Fete du Trône
France-Morocco Friendship Group
Holmarcom
ICSID
International Power SA
Kabbaj
Karim Ben Cheikh
Les grands travaux routiers
Lydec
Medef international
Medias 24
Mehdi Tazi
Meridiam
Mohammed Sadiki
Mojazine
Mutandis
Nareva
Naval Group
NGE
Office national des chemins de fer marocain
Pizzorno
Redal
Saad Bendourou
Sarah El Haïry
Setec
Société des boissons du Maroc
Societe Generale des Travaux du Maroc
Somagec
Suez
Teodem
Thierry Coste
Thierry Deau
Veolia

Inner circles | Morocco
Christophe Lecourtier, the well-connected ambassador tasked with reconciling Rabat and Paris

Good connections within the French right and Franco-Moroccan business circles have helped the French ambassador gain acceptance in the country he professes to love, despite past tensions between Paris and Rabat. He is now seen as the lynchpin of their rapprochement, particularly on Western Sahara.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 18.10.2024

The French ambassador to Rabat, Christophe Lecourtier, in Paris in November 2022.

Morocco
Construction group Delta Holding lands Rif highway contract

The Fahim family, owners of the Delta Holding group and its subsidiary Grands Chantiers Routiers, is set to be involved in the major road project along the Mediterranean coast.

Subscribers only Business 03.09.2024

Congo, Madagascar
New boss for Ravinala Airports

A French national will shortly be taking over the helm of Ravinala Airports, which manages Antananarivo's Ivato and Nosy Be Island airport terminals.

Subscribers only Infrastructure 19.08.2024

Morocco
Moroccan duo Somagec-SGTM pips Bouygues to Tanger Med port contract

The project is expected to cost close to half a billion euros.

Subscribers only Infrastructure 19.07.2024

Algeria
AXA Algérie shaken by embezzlement probe

Several executives of the insurance giant's Algerian branch have recently been detained or ordered not to leave the country. At issue is the suspected misappropriation of half a million euros.

Subscribers only Finance 10.07.2024

Morocco
French Egis-Systra duo still in running for Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed rail line

French Egis teamed up with compatriot Systra and Moroccan Novec in the race against Spanish engineering giant Ineco to win the project management contract for the high-speed rail line connecting Kenitra and Marrakech.

Subscribers only Infrastructure 08.07.2024

Morocco
Belgian electrolysis leader John Cockerill keen to develop hydrogen sector

Following its stalled project with Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch's company Maghreb Oxygène, the firm is still keen to be involved in the industrialisation of Morocco's green hydrogen sector.

Subscribers only Energy 05.07.2024

Ivory Coast
Ouattara tasks Hamed Cissé with developing banking sector strategy

The employers' federation boss will be looking at ways of boosting the sector.

Subscribers only Finance 20.06.2024

Morocco
Drought and EU pressure push tomato giant Azura to seek new pastures

The Tazi family group, which this year passed into the hands of founder Mohamed Tazi's daughters, is preparing to switch up its business model amid growing challenges in the tomato sector.

Subscribers only Business 30.05.2024

Morocco
France makes it easier for Moroccan graduates to apply for visas

French ambassador to Rabat Christophe Lecourtier has announced the introduction of a scheme to make it easier for Moroccan graduates to apply for visas to France.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 27.05.2024

Morocco
ONCF postpones tender for 168 new trains

Morocco's state-owned ONCF rail company has pushed back the submission deadline for the megaproject until July. France's Alstom and Spain's CAF and Talgo are all in the running, and the Spanish firms stand to gain from the delay.

Subscribers only Business 07.05.2024

Mauritania
Orascom in the running for Nouadhibou port contract

Egypt's Orascom Construction is in the running to build the deepwater port of Nouadhibou in Mauritania.

Subscribers only Infrastructure 01.05.2024

Morocco
Morocco-France forum to host hundreds of business leaders

As bilateral relations continue to improve, the France-Morocco business forum scheduled for 26 April in Rabat will be punctuated by signs of goodwill.

Subscribers only Business, Diplomacy 23.04.2024

Morocco
Alstom hopes new production plan will help it bag train contract

The French group, which is battling Spanish rivals for a contract for 168 new trains for Morocco's ONCF national rail company, hopes its plans to create local employment will help it triumph.

Subscribers only Business 16.04.2024

Morocco
As time goes by... Alstom trams stuck in Casablanca port

The French group and Casa Transport are at loggerheads over the delivery of the last batch of trams for the city's expanding public transport system, leaving the trainsets stuck in the port.

Subscribers only Infrastructure 11.03.2024

Spotlight | Morocco
$1.6bn Franco-Spanish battle to supply Moroccan trains

French giant Alstom is in pole position for the mega-deal to supply 168 new trains to Morocco's Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF), but faces stiff competition from Spain's CAF and Talgo.

Subscribers only Infrastructure 06.03.2024

A high speed train produced by Alstom departs La Rochelle's harbour for Tangier, on 26 June 2015.

Morocco
French foreign minister Séjourné expected in Rabat this week

The newly appointed foreign minister is set to meet his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita on 25 February. After months of frosty relations between the two countries, it's a highly symbolic visit and one that could pave the way for Emmanuel Macron's trip to the kingdom.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 21.02.2024

French foreign minister Stéphane Séjourné in New York on 23 January 2024.

Morocco
French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Morocco strengthens southern presence

The French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Morocco is to open a new branch in Guelmim, capital of the southern region of Guelmim-Oued Noun. A French delegation will be visiting it on 7-8 February.

Subscribers only Business 29.01.2024

Morocco
Zouhaïr Bennani's son appointed as Retail Holding executive

Zouhaïr Bennani, head of mass distribution specialist Retail Holding and majority shareholder in its Label'Vie subsidiary, has enlisted his son's help in the business

Subscribers only Business 17.11.2023

Morocco
France's Pizzorno group chooses its arbitrator in dispute with Morocco

On 29 October, French waste management group Pizzorno chose Nassib Ziadé, Chilean-Lebanese chief executive of the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution, as its arbitrator in the case it has brought against the Moroccan authorities.

Subscribers only Infrastructure 07.11.2023

Morocco
Veolia at risk of financial sanctions over Lydec sale

Veolia will be unable to meet the 3 November deadline set by the Moroccan Competition Council (CDC) compelling it to sell Lydec to the “new Suez”. Beyond this date, the company could face financial sanctions from the CDC.

Subscribers only Business 02.11.2023

Morocco
Meryem Bouazzaoui to join CFG Bank board

After a 16 November combined general meeting of shareholders, Myriem [...]

Subscribers only Business 25.10.2023

Morocco
Lacking OCP's phosphates, national railway operator sees drop in freight volumes

Morocco's national railway operator, the ONCF, saw a significant drop in its freight business in the first half of 2023.

Subscribers only Mining, Business 10.10.2023

Morocco
Whistleblower accuses senior managers at LEONI's Moroccan branch of embezzlement

A former HR director of the automotive supplier LEONI Wiring Systems France, who was dismissed in 2019, blew the whistle on the actions of senior executives at the company's Moroccan subsidiary. A French court ruling has not challenged the reality of his allegations but has upheld his dismissal for gross misconduct.

Subscribers only Business 19.09.2023

Morocco
European Commission kicks Moroccan phosphates issue into touch

A few months ago, two MEPs raised the issue of the status of Moroccan phosphates imported into Europe, even though the Kingdom extracts them in Western Sahara.

Free access Mining 18.07.2023

Morocco
Eurologistique beats Bouygues for RN4 road extension contract

Moroccan firm Eurologistique, based in Temara and headed by Mohamed Benbrahim, has won the tender to build another lane on the 16-kilometre stretch of road linking Sidi Slimane to Sidi Kacem.

Subscribers only Infrastructure 11.07.2023

Morocco
Brahim Mojahid returns to Tiznit-Laâyoune-Dakhla expressway project

Moroccan construction group Mojazine, led by Brahim Mojahid, former PAM president of the Béni Mellal-Khenifra regional council, has won another contract for the vast Tiznit-Dakhla expressway project.

Subscribers only Infrastructure 03.05.2023

Morocco
Suez-Lydec: Mohcine Jazouli and Sabrina Soussan hold covert meeting

On 1 December, Mohcine Jazouli, Morocco's minister delegate in charge of investments, received Suez's CEO Sabrina Soussan in Casablanca to try to make progress on the delicate topic of Lydec's transfer.

Subscribers only Business 07.12.2022

Morocco
Veolia and Suez pray for Macron Morocco trip to resolve Lydec deal

Veolia and Suez are hoping that a state visit by the French president would help overturn Morocco's "political" refusal to authorise the transfer of shares in Lydec, the economic capital's water and electricity utility. But no such visit is planned for the moment.

Subscribers only Business 13.06.2022

Morocco's King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron in April 2018.

Set up email notifications for these topics

AB15 Ventures
Abdelouafi Laftit
Adil Douiri
Agence nationale des ports
Ahmed Rahhou
Al Mada
Alstom
Amelia Lakrafi
Amendis
Ask Capital
Axa assistance Maroc
Axa assurances Maroc
Aziz Akhannouch
Bensalah
BMCI
BMCI Asset management
BNP Paribas
Bouygues
Brahim Mojahed
Bruno Fuchs
Business France
Castel
Chakib Alj
China Railway Design Corp
Christophe Béchu
Christophe Lecourtier
CIH Bank
Colas
Competition Council
Confederation Generale des Entreprises du Maroc
Crédit Agricole
Credit du Maroc
Digifi
Egis
Eiffage
Emmanuel Macron
Engie
Euro-Africaine des eaux
Fete du Trône
France-Morocco Friendship Group
Holmarcom
ICSID
International Power SA
Kabbaj
Karim Ben Cheikh
Les grands travaux routiers
Lydec
Medef international
Medias 24
Mehdi Tazi
Meridiam
Mohammed Sadiki
Mojazine
Mutandis
Nareva
Naval Group
NGE
Office national des chemins de fer marocain
Pizzorno
Redal
Saad Bendourou
Sarah El Haïry
Setec
Société des boissons du Maroc
Societe Generale des Travaux du Maroc
Somagec
Suez
Teodem
Thierry Coste
Thierry Deau
Veolia

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Spotlight | Morocco French giants shiver as Rabat-Paris relations remain icy

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Set up email notifications for these topics

Inner circles | Morocco Christophe Lecourtier, the well-connected ambassador tasked with reconciling Rabat and Paris

Morocco Construction group Delta Holding lands Rif highway contract

Congo, Madagascar New boss for Ravinala Airports

Morocco Moroccan duo Somagec-SGTM pips Bouygues to Tanger Med port contract

Algeria AXA Algérie shaken by embezzlement probe

Morocco French Egis-Systra duo still in running for Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed rail line

Morocco Belgian electrolysis leader John Cockerill keen to develop hydrogen sector

Ivory Coast Ouattara tasks Hamed Cissé with developing banking sector strategy

Morocco Drought and EU pressure push tomato giant Azura to seek new pastures

Morocco France makes it easier for Moroccan graduates to apply for visas

Morocco ONCF postpones tender for 168 new trains

Mauritania Orascom in the running for Nouadhibou port contract

Morocco Morocco-France forum to host hundreds of business leaders

Morocco Alstom hopes new production plan will help it bag train contract

Morocco As time goes by... Alstom trams stuck in Casablanca port

Spotlight | Morocco $1.6bn Franco-Spanish battle to supply Moroccan trains

Morocco French foreign minister Séjourné expected in Rabat this week

Morocco French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Morocco strengthens southern presence

Morocco Zouhaïr Bennani's son appointed as Retail Holding executive

Morocco France's Pizzorno group chooses its arbitrator in dispute with Morocco

Morocco Veolia at risk of financial sanctions over Lydec sale

Morocco Meryem Bouazzaoui to join CFG Bank board

Morocco Lacking OCP's phosphates, national railway operator sees drop in freight volumes

Morocco Whistleblower accuses senior managers at LEONI's Moroccan branch of embezzlement

Morocco European Commission kicks Moroccan phosphates issue into touch

Morocco Eurologistique beats Bouygues for RN4 road extension contract

Morocco Brahim Mojahid returns to Tiznit-Laâyoune-Dakhla expressway project

Morocco Suez-Lydec: Mohcine Jazouli and Sabrina Soussan hold covert meeting

Morocco Veolia and Suez pray for Macron Morocco trip to resolve Lydec deal

Set up email notifications for these topics

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Botswana, South Africa
From Gaborone to Antwerp, is De Beers's empire on the rocks?

Mali, Senegal, Togo
The secrets of Demex, the trader selling Russian oil in West Africa

Spotlight | Morocco
French giants shiver as Rabat-Paris relations remain icy

Inner circles | Morocco
Christophe Lecourtier, the well-connected ambassador tasked with reconciling Rabat and Paris

Morocco
Construction group Delta Holding lands Rif highway contract

Congo, Madagascar
New boss for Ravinala Airports

Morocco
Moroccan duo Somagec-SGTM pips Bouygues to Tanger Med port contract

Algeria
AXA Algérie shaken by embezzlement probe

Morocco
French Egis-Systra duo still in running for Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed rail line

Morocco
Belgian electrolysis leader John Cockerill keen to develop hydrogen sector

Ivory Coast
Ouattara tasks Hamed Cissé with developing banking sector strategy

Morocco
Drought and EU pressure push tomato giant Azura to seek new pastures

Morocco
France makes it easier for Moroccan graduates to apply for visas

Morocco
ONCF postpones tender for 168 new trains

Mauritania
Orascom in the running for Nouadhibou port contract

Morocco
Morocco-France forum to host hundreds of business leaders

Morocco
Alstom hopes new production plan will help it bag train contract

Morocco
As time goes by... Alstom trams stuck in Casablanca port

Spotlight | Morocco
$1.6bn Franco-Spanish battle to supply Moroccan trains

Morocco
French foreign minister Séjourné expected in Rabat this week

Morocco
French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Morocco strengthens southern presence

Morocco
Zouhaïr Bennani's son appointed as Retail Holding executive

Morocco
France's Pizzorno group chooses its arbitrator in dispute with Morocco

Morocco
Veolia at risk of financial sanctions over Lydec sale

Morocco
Meryem Bouazzaoui to join CFG Bank board

Morocco
Lacking OCP's phosphates, national railway operator sees drop in freight volumes

Morocco
Whistleblower accuses senior managers at LEONI's Moroccan branch of embezzlement

Morocco
European Commission kicks Moroccan phosphates issue into touch

Morocco
Eurologistique beats Bouygues for RN4 road extension contract

Morocco
Brahim Mojahid returns to Tiznit-Laâyoune-Dakhla expressway project

Morocco
Suez-Lydec: Mohcine Jazouli and Sabrina Soussan hold covert meeting

Morocco
Veolia and Suez pray for Macron Morocco trip to resolve Lydec deal