The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and Moroccan authorities signed on December 15, loan agreements for a total of 980 million dirham ($101 million) to partially finance the High Speed Train project, currently being developed in Morocco.

The agreements, which were signed by the IDB and Morocco’s Ministry of Finance and Economy, specifically concern the funding of Casablanca, Kenitra and Tangiers stations. Tangiers’ already existing station will be expanded by 10,600 m², while Kenitra will receive a new station which will be built on a 13,000 m² area. Same goes for Casablanca where a new station will be built over 10,000 m².

“The new generation stations will be buzzing with life as it will have stores and businesses all around,” said ONCF’s managing director, Mohamed Rabie Khlie.

Construction works for the first line of the High Speed Train in Morocco are 85% complete, according to the ONCF. It should be commissioned in 2018.