Casablanca is playing host this week to the seventh edition of China Trade Week, a growing fixture in the economic calendar that’s strengthening ties between Morocco, China, and the broader African continent. Running from November 19 to 21 at the AMDIE International Fairgrounds, the event kicked off in the presence of high-level delegations from both countries, underscoring the strategic importance of this gathering.
The trade show is organized by MIE Group, whose president, David Wang, emphasized the pivotal role this forum plays in deepening bilateral cooperation. According to Wang, China sees Morocco as one of the most promising markets worldwide, thanks in large part to its unique geographic position, which makes it an ideal hub for reaching both African and European markets.
Representing the Chinese embassy in Morocco, advisor Zheng Wei highlighted the longstanding relationship between the two nations. Since Morocco joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative in 2016, trade between the countries has seen robust growth. China is now Morocco’s largest trading partner. In 2021 alone, trade volume between the two nations hit $9.04 billion—a 21.6% increase. That figure is expected to surpass the $10 billion mark this year. Much of the momentum is being driven by Chinese investment in Morocco, particularly in the northern city of Tangier, which now hosts around 40 Chinese industrial groups across sectors like automotive, energy, and textiles.
From the Moroccan side, Mehdi Iraqi, who heads the Morocco-China Business Council within the CGEM, stressed that economic cooperation must be reciprocal. He called attention to the untapped potential of the Chinese market for Moroccan businesses and noted the growing presence of a vibrant Moroccan diaspora in several major Chinese cities, which could serve as a bridge for deeper commercial exchange.
This year’s edition stands out for its scale, bringing together nearly 200 exhibitors from ten different countries and attracting over 12,000 pre-registered visitors. The exhibition spans 10,000 square meters and features companies from China and Morocco, alongside firms from Egypt, Malaysia, Ghana, Kenya, the UAE, Italy, and Portugal. The opening day alone drew more than 5,000 attendees, signaling strong interest from across the business spectrum.
Co-organized by MIE Group and China Morocco Smart Life, the event aims to spark business connections and foster new economic synergies between Asia and Africa, with Morocco positioned at the heart of this emerging cross-continental dialogue.
