“Morocco and China are about to finalize a number of agreements, strategic, economic, commercial, investment, bilateral and regional, directed toward Africa,” Xinhua reported.

Few days ago, during the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council, King Mohamed VI of Morocco mentioned the upcoming signing of a strategic agreement with China, without however indicating the regional target. Talks between the two partners regarding free-trade agreement goes some time back. They have cooperation dating from 2005 and other agreements strengthening them.

The arrival of Bank of China, world’s fourth bank by volume of assets, in Casablanca Finance City, financial base of Morocco’s program for economic development, is another sign. It could be seen as the manifestation of China’s will, to pave itself a new road in Africa, through Morocco. The latter is quite present in the region, in the finance, telecommunication, transport, housing and agrofood sectors namely.

Idriss Linge