Aerospace in Morocco: 10,000 jobs, 6% of exports and 106 operators.

In its infancy ten years ago, the Moroccan aerospace industry now plays a very significant role in the country's economy. In 2014, it generated 10,000 highly skilled jobs, accounted for 6% of exports, and boasted over 8 billion dirhams in revenue.

An article in the journal La Vie éco highlights the achievements of the Moroccan aerospace industry. The decisions made a decade ago have clearly paid off. What was 0.5% of the total volume 10 years ago is now 6% of exports, totaling over 8 billion dirhams this year.

Employment has also grown significantly, with the sector providing 10,000 highly skilled jobs, with perfect parity, 50% women.

Investments continue. The inauguration in September 2013 of the Midparc industrial platform by King Mohammed VI, at a total cost of 887 million dirhams, will accelerate the sector's development. Bombardier, a Canadian company already present in Morocco, will open its first facility in this platform, with investments of 200 million dollars and, eventually, 850 direct jobs and 4,500 indirect jobs.

With strong operator orders, adds the journal, the sector should maintain sustained growth of 5 to 6% per year in the coming years.

The sector's ambitions are very high. By 2020, according to the president of Gimas (Moroccan Aerospace and Space Industries Group), Hamid Abbad El Andaloussi, the goal is to double the size of the sector in terms of employment and exports, "reaching consolidated export results of 2 billion dollars."

Bladi.net

Published August 23, 2014.

Updated August 23, 2014.