The Morocco-France Business Forum for the 2030 World Cup, held on Thursday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maâmora, marked a significant step in strengthening economic ties between Rabat and Paris, particularly in the burgeoning field of sports economy. This sector, now at the heart of bilateral cooperation, is thriving, stated Laurent Saint-Martin, the French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad. «The sports economy is experiencing remarkable momentum, driven by the shared vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and President Emmanuel Macron, as expressed during the latter's official visit to Morocco last October,» he declared at the Forum's opening. «This sector is not only promising for our two countries but also for the entire African continent.» This forum, co-organized by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Bpifrance, and the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), aims to foster joint reflection and create tangible bridges between Moroccan and French economic ecosystems. The goal is to generate business opportunities in anticipation of the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. Laurent Saint-Martin emphasized that the joint presence of Morocco and France in the exclusive circle of countries hosting major sporting events is no coincidence. He recalled, for example, Euro 2016, the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the French side. «Morocco, for its part, is gearing up for a particularly busy sports calendar, with the organization over five consecutive years of the U17 Women's World Cup—a world first—in addition to the Women's Africa Cup of Nations next July and the Men's Africa Cup of Nations, a real stepping stone towards the 2030 World Cup.» Beyond sports, the French minister highlighted the importance of integrating sustainability principles into the organization of these competitions. «Business can and should be a lever for inclusion and ecological transition. Our two countries share a strong ambition in terms of decarbonization and innovation.» The president of the FRMF, Fouzi Lekjaa, emphasized the strategic significance of the development model initiated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, «which places youth at the center of a dynamic articulated between economic progress and social development.» «What unites France and Morocco goes far beyond events. It's a relationship founded on a shared history, a common Mediterranean heritage, and a model of civilizational cooperation,» he insisted. For him, hosting major sporting events contributes to strengthening this common heritage and passing it on to future generations. Mehdi Tazi, Vice President General of the CGEM, highlighted the favorable context currently experienced by Morocco. «We are living in a pivotal moment. The Kingdom, under the impetus of His Majesty the King, is undergoing profound transformation through a series of structuring projects.» He particularly mentioned infrastructure projects (ports, airports, highways), investments in renewable energies, and seawater desalination as positive signals for foreign investors. National coach Walid Regragui concluded by praising «the new energy» that animates the country thanks to the emphasis placed on youth and sports, hoping to see Morocco deliver in 2030 «the best edition in World Cup history.»
