Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar, met H.E. Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Moroccan Government, with the aim of strengthening collaboration between the aeronautical and aerospace industries of the two countries.
This important meeting took place at the “Morocco Now” pavilion at the Farnborough Airshow in the United Kingdom, where the two ministers went to highlight the aeronautics and aerospace sectors of their respective countries. The Farnborough Airshow is the main global event this year. It is expected to attract 80,000 visitors and around 1,000 exhibitors who will promote their products and services to global industry players.
The visit to this show by the Irish Deputy Prime Minister was part of the trade mission organized by Enterprise Ireland – the Irish government agency for trade and innovation – to promote the strength of the Irish aviation and aerospace sectors.
Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Business, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar said:”Relations between Ireland and Morocco continue to strengthen, particularly through business investment. The discussion with H.E. Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade, was an excellent opportunity to talk about the continued collaboration between Ireland and Morocco, in particular the aerospace supply chain and the role of Irish companies at the forefront of innovation in this sector. Through increased collaboration between the Irish and Moroccan aerospace industries, we can open the door to mutual benefits and economic opportunities”.
Ireland is a recognized pioneer in aerospace and aviation globally, with an unrivaled track record of aviation-related advancements over the past 100 years. As a country with a reputation for being at the forefront of innovation in this sector, aerospace and aviation represent a significant part of the Irish economy, worth 4.1 billion euros (4 .12 billion US dollars). With over 250 aviation and aerospace companies in Ireland, providing 42,000 jobs, the industry is a major player in the global market.
Ireland also has exceptional experience with its manufacturing potential, with the Emerald Aero Group (EAG), a group of Irish companies now working together to supply companies in the global aerospace market.
The Moroccan aerospace sector is also emerging as a strong competitor in the market, presenting huge opportunities for Enterprise Ireland’s corporate clients. It has doubled in the last decade, with a (pre-Covid) growth rate of 20% per year and an export turnover of two billion dollars. It now employs nearly 20,000 qualified people, with more than 140 companies operating in various activities, including the production of aerostructures, electrical wiring and maintenance and services.
Last year, Enterprise Ireland and the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development held a week-long series of webinars on “Doing Business in Morocco” to share knowledge. Later in the year, a market research visit is expected to be organized by Enterprise Ireland colleagues to Morocco to continue to build relationships and engage with key players in the public and private sectors of the country. ecosystem.
