From Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
Ogun State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Confederation of General Employers of Morocco, CGEM, to collaborate on power generation and distribution, education, housing, infrastructure and port development.
Governor Dapo Abiodun signed on behalf of the state, while Mr Ali Zerouali signed for the Moroccan agency.
Speaking at the event held at the Governor’s Office, Abeokuta, Abiodun noted that Morocco had achieved significant success in the areas of education, technology, manufacturing, agriculture and a host of others, from which Ogun State would benefit.
The governor said Morocco offers a 30 percent subsidy as an incentive for investors and had signed 60 trade agreements with different countries, as well as becoming a leader in solar energy.
He stated that the country had transitioned from importing to exporting electric vehicles to Europe and manufacturing parts for aircraft manufacturers.
The governor noted that the success story of Morocco would be replicated in Nigeria with the arrival of CGEM to establish operations.
“We hope that in our partnership, we can unlock all the potentials and maximise it. We want to learn how you perfected hydro, solar and gas energy, presenting the right mix that, of course, brings down the cost of energy.
“We identified agriculture, agribusiness and agricultural technology, in which you are very advanced. Morocco is the largest producer of fertiliser on the continent and one of the biggest exporters of the product. I recall that you were informed of the plan to establish a massive fertiliser plant in Nigeria. We hope that we can bring that plant to Ogun State.
“Being an industrial state, we discussed manufacturing and industrial development, in which you have excelled. How do we partner? How do we learn from you, so that we do not start from the scratch? How do we develop technology together? How do we collaborate with companies in Morocco to bring the automobile industry to Ogun State, where we know that from here, you can easily ship vehicles to other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa?”
He added that the state has a special economic zone at the Gateway International Airport, which would serve as a free trade zone, adding that it is important to partner on how to transfer technology and collaborate to bring manufacturing and agricultural companies to the state.
Earlier, Mr Zerouali stated that his organisation is ready to partner the state in the automobile, agro-food industries and the education sector, with the belief that it would help to strengthen the cordial relationship and friendship, as well as enhance economic ties between the two countries.
