Visiting King Mohammed VI on Thursday visited two Morocco-funded projects initiated to develop the artisanal fishing activity in the West African country.
King Mohammed VI who co-chaired with President Alassane Dramane Ouattara the signing ceremony of 14 cooperation agreements, in Abidjan last week, visited on Thursday the Locodjro (North Abidjan) disembarkation point under construction and a second disembarkation point project situated at Grand Lahou, 150 km west of Abidjan.
Both projects are funded by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Sustainable Development and the Moroccan ministry of agriculture and maritime fisheries, with the support of Attijariwafa Bank.
The two projects that required a funding of $565,000 (56.5 million dirham) will benefit 7,000 Ivoirians living on fishing activities.
The two disembarkation points are equipped with fish markets, ice plants, fish shopping and cleaning spaces, storage areas, fish processing equipment (ovens, dryers…) as well as medical stations.
The projects respect international standards to the image of similar projects carried out in Morocco.
Upon completion, the two projects will scale up catches, create more jobs, and improve working and living conditions of fishermen.
Similar projects are mushrooming in two other West African countries, thanks to Morocco’s assistance. Two disembarkation points are planned in Conakry, the Guinean capital, while Senegal’s capital city Dakar will be endowed with a similar site.