$140 Million from Abu Dhabi Fund for Morocco Infra Projects 

A high-level delegation from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the leading national entity for international development aid, attended the inaugural ceremony of the $2.3 billion landmark infrastructure project.

The high-speed train service project will connect the cities of Tangier and Casablanca and reduce travel time between them to two hours.

Inaugurated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, the opening ceremony was also attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, and His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi,

His Excellency Ali Salim Al Kaabi, UAE Ambassador to Morocco, His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, was also gracced the occasion along with Director General of ADFD, and several high-ranking Moroccan officials.

ADFD’s contribution to the 200-km long, 320-km/hr high-speed train amounted to $140 million (AED514 million).

Through linking the two cities, this important infrastructure project will bolster the movement of people, increasing nationwide and cross-city trade and tourism as well as driving sustainable economic development.

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Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi said: “We are proud of the strategic partnership between the Moroccan government and ADFD.

“Supporting Morocco’s development programmes and objectives has resulted in economic growth and diversification, new job opportunities, and sustainable development in key sectors in that country.

“A first-of-its-kind initiative in the African continent, this state-of-the-art high-speed train will dramatically improve travel times and living standards.”

The Fund has so far funded 12 transportation projects worth an estimated AED2.4 billion (US$650 million) to support socio-economic development in Morocco.

To date, the Fund has supported Morocco with grants and concessionary loans worth AED9 billion across 82 development projects spanning diverse sectors, including housing, water, agriculture, education and healthcare.

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