“The EIB supports Morocco’s ambition for greener and more resilient infrastructures, particularly through projects in the fields of renewable energies, such as the integrated wind program and the future Noor Midelt solar complex, as well as in biodiversity, with the inclusive forests program led by the National Agency for Water and Forests, and in sustainable transport,” Ms. Calviño indicated in an interview with MAP on the occasion of the Throne Day celebration.
In this regard, she recalled that the EIB collaborates with the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) to improve access to water, as part of the National Drinking Water Supply Program, and to facilitate the integration of renewable energies through the strengthening and extension of electrical networks.
“These initiatives are part of a broader model based on strategic planning, inclusive growth, and environmental transition,” she noted.
As the financial arm of the European Union (EU), the EIB has supported Morocco’s development through nearly 150 operations since 1979, for a cumulative amount of over 10.6 billion euros, the official stated. This long-standing partnership reflects, according to her, shared priorities with the EU in areas such as sustainable infrastructures, renewable energies, and human capital.
“These funds have enabled the realization of emblematic projects such as the Tangier Med Port, the trams of Rabat and Casablanca, as well as rural schooling programs to improve access to education in disadvantaged areas,” she specified, adding that these investments have contributed notably to strengthening economic resilience and social inclusion.
Ms. Calviño also emphasized that the EIB works closely with the Moroccan financial sector to improve access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises, which play a crucial role in innovation, inclusion, and job creation.
“These efforts are based on macroeconomic stability and a clear regulatory framework that, made possible by the Leadership of His Majesty the King, allow for the deployment of ambitious initiatives with a strong developmental impact,” she praised.
For the European official, Morocco’s strategic position is a major asset. In this regard, the EIB will continue to work closely with the Kingdom within the framework of the EIB Global initiative and the Team Europe mechanism, whether it concerns feasibility studies on offshore wind, support for the Mohammed VI Fund for Investment, or the Medusa submarine cable project aimed at enhancing regional digital connectivity.
“Now more than ever, in these unstable and uncertain times, we need strong partnerships based on mutual respect to jointly propose win-win solutions, benefiting both citizens and businesses. I am pleased to affirm that we have such a partnership with Morocco,” concluded Ms. Calviño.
MAP