Morocco and representatives of the Israel Aerospace Industry (IAI) have reached a provisional agreement over cooperation in the aerospace sector.
Both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering the aeronautical sector as part of the implementation of the December 2020 Joint Declaration between Morocco and Israel.
The accord was signed during a meeting in Rabat between the Moroccan trade and industry minister, Ryad Mezzour, and Israel Aerospace Industries chair Amir Peretz.
This signing is a significant milestone in the Israeli-Morocco ties which have tightened as a result of the diplomatic normalization between the two countries reached in 2020.
The partnership is likely to explore investment initiatives on aerostructures and engine parts, 3D printing, and the manufacture of cabin interiors.
Other areas include the establishment of an R&D and engineering center and the development of an ecosystem of local suppliers through sourcing partnerships with IAI.
Both parties expressed their willingness to promote dynamic and innovative bilateral economic cooperation in the fields of investment and technology.
The MoU includes, on the Moroccan side, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies, and, on the Israeli side, IAI.
As part of the visit, the Israeli delegation toured the Moroccan Nouaceur aeronautical centre.
“This is a strategic partnership for both countries that we are sealing today. It opens the way for win-win industrial collaboration in the aerospace industry. This partnership leverages IAI’s aviation expertise and the technological capabilities of our aerospace platform and its positioning as a growth driver for the investment and development in advanced industrial and aeronautical services sectors,” said Mezzour. He stressed that this agreement responds to national priorities to promote advanced training, employment, local manufacturing, as well as R&D and innovation.
Peretz said: “The MoU we are signing today is an additional step in creating a new partnership between IAI and the aviation and space industries in Morocco.”
Speaking on the development of, IAI President and CEO, Boaz Levy said: “The cooperation agreement, signed between IAI and Morocco, is another expression of the deep partnership between the two countries and will help promote joint and commercial projects in the aviation industry. As part of its strategy, IAI expands its business into new markets and provides advanced technology solutions to customers around the whole world. We are proud to sign this agreement and believe it is a partnership that will lead to new joint developments and advance the global aviation industry.”