Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire are bound by an enduring alliance underpinned by south-south cooperation and a co-development approach. The visit paid by King Mohammed VI to Abidjan, which started on Sunday, is reflective of the keen interest attached by the two leaders to overseeing the social and economic development projects launched in Côte d’Ivoire with Moroccan support.
The inauguration of “the Mohammed VI” fishing unloading site by the Moroccan monarch and his host President Alassane Ouattara offers a shining example of inter-African solidarity and cooperation.
The project is designed to promote small-scale fishing with the aim of improving the living conditions of local fishermen, through a stable revenue generating activity.
The upgrade was about developing a sea defense system as well as building administrative facilities on a surface area of 2,100 square meters as well as the construction of a commercial zone (fish hall, an ice factory, storage room for boxes), and an activity area (a mechanical workshop, a boat repair shop, a fish smoking plant…).
Morocco is developing another fishing unloading site at Grand Lahou, 150 kilometers west of Abidjan. The two fishing pro-jects are worth about $565,000.
Both projects are funded by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Sustainable Development, the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, with the facilitation of Attijariwafa Bank.
The King later on inaugurated in Abidjan, the “Mohammed VI Vocational Training Multi-Sectoral Centre” of Yopougon and launched the construction works of a boarding school that is part of the institute facilities.
During the latest royal visit to Abidjan last March, Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire signed 14 cooperation agreements. The agreements cover several cooperation sectors (military, pharmaceutical industry, road infrastructure, finance, small and medium sized enterprises, social development, techno parks, data processing, transportation and logistics).