Morocco Signs $1 Bln MoU with Afreximbank

Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah and Afreximbank President Benedict Oramah in Marrakech. (Afreximbank website)
Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah and Afreximbank President Benedict Oramah in Marrakech. (Afreximbank website)
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Morocco Signs $1 Bln MoU with Afreximbank

Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah and Afreximbank President Benedict Oramah in Marrakech. (Afreximbank website)
Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah and Afreximbank President Benedict Oramah in Marrakech. (Afreximbank website)

Morocco and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) signed Saturday in Marrakech a billion-dollar Memorandum of Understanding to consolidate and promote cooperation relations between the two parties in various fields.

The MoU was signed by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah, and Afreximbank President, Benedict Oramah, on the sidelines of the 2023 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund.

The memorandum outlines the priority areas of cooperation between the institution and its Moroccan partners, focusing on financing and promoting intra- and extra-African trade, project financing, and technical assistance.

Fettah welcomed the signing of this MoU, marking a significant step in consolidating cooperation relations between Morocco and Afreximbank. It reaffirms the Kingdom's commitment to Africa's development in line with King Mohammed VI's vision of promoting cooperation.

For his part, Oramah noted that the MoU aims to support the Moroccan government in its efforts to promote trade and investment in Africa and worldwide.

This agreement is part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two parties to increase the institution's support in the future.

The organization of the Annual Meetings of the WB and the IMF is allowing Morocco to have an even more prominent role on the international arena, according to Antoine Sallé de Chou, Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for Morocco.

After praising this "excellent initiative, which marks the return of the Annual Meetings to the African continent after 50 years," the EBRD official emphasized that this economic and financial gathering is an opportunity for the Kingdom to "demonstrate its ability to organize events of international stature."

Furthermore, Executive Vice President of the African Center for Economic Transformation Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi said on Saturday in Marrakech that the global economy is hinged on putting the African continent on track.



Third Saudi International Maritime Forum Opens in Eastern Region

The forum underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing global maritime security and innovation through collaboration and technology-driven solutions. (SPA)
The forum underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing global maritime security and innovation through collaboration and technology-driven solutions. (SPA)
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Third Saudi International Maritime Forum Opens in Eastern Region

The forum underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing global maritime security and innovation through collaboration and technology-driven solutions. (SPA)
The forum underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing global maritime security and innovation through collaboration and technology-driven solutions. (SPA)

The Third Saudi International Maritime Forum opened in the Eastern Region on Tuesday.

The event is organized by the Royal Saudi Naval Forces under the theme “Maritime Security in the Age of Artificial Intelligence – Trends and Threats”.

The forum, held under the patronage of Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, was attended by Chief of the General Staff General Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili, alongside senior naval leaders, experts, government officials, and representatives of global maritime companies and regulatory bodies.

Chief of Naval Staff Lieutenant General Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Ghuraibi expressed gratitude for the Minister of Defense’s support, noting that the forum aligns with the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence shaping global maritime security.

He highlighted the forum’s objectives, including fostering international collaboration on maritime security, exchanging knowledge among naval leaders, promoting the adoption of advanced systems in the maritime sector, raising awareness about environmental conservation, and leveraging emerging technologies to address security challenges.

The forum also features an exhibition, inaugurated by Al-Ruwaili, showcasing strategic services and innovations from sectors and companies specializing in maritime security.

Spanning three days, the forum brings together 42 speakers across five dialogue sessions and 21 workshops. Key topics include maritime strategies in the age of artificial intelligence, policies and regulations for integrating AI into maritime operations, the impacts of advanced maritime systems on security and cybersecurity, training and development of maritime professionals in the AI era, and the future of military industries in AI-driven technologies.

Additionally, 29 government agencies and 23 local and international companies are participating in the exhibition, displaying the latest equipment and technologies in maritime security.

The forum underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing global maritime security and innovation through collaboration and technology-driven solutions.