Tunisia and Morocco express interest in supporting UfM transport projects

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Tunisia and Morocco express interest in supporting UfM transport projects

31-05-2012

A Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) delegation headed by Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alpogan has conducted a mission to Tunisia and Morocco in an effort to raise awareness for two key UfM labelled projects, one on the completion of the central section of the Trans-Maghreb motorway axis, and the other on the development of a network of Euro-Mediterranean logistics platforms (LOGISMEDTA).

In Tunisia, the UfM delegation met with Abdelkrim Harouni, Minister of Transport, who expressed his appreciation for the UfM's efforts in promoting the two projects on a regional scale, and for coordinating the national actors involved in each project. The Delegation also held talks with representatives of the government in relevant sectors as well as representatives of the African Development Bank, who agreed to work in close collaboration with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to adopt a new financial instrument, to support the projects in the Mediterranean Region.

The Tunisian Government announced that it would provide a financial contribution for the LOGISMEDTA Project. The UfM will continue to support the Tunisian Authorities in order to launch the training activities of the LOGISMEDTA project during 2013. Regarding the Maghreb Motorway, the UfM will actively support the Transport and Equipment Ministries in the first phase of the project, including the execution of the preliminary design, technical assistance and training of the technical staff. The UfM will also search for financial support from IFIs for the phases of design and construction.

In Morocco, the Delegation met with Abdelaziz Rabbah, Minister of Transport and Equipment, who announced that Morocco would provide a financial contribution for the LOGISMEDTA project. Minister Rabbah took the opportunity to highlight the need that the training activities are adapted to the specific situation of each country.

Due to the advanced situation of the logistic sector in Morocco, it could be considered as the future "hub" of logistics activities in the region and African continent more broadly, a press release said. Morocco is ready to open the doors for private investors and to diffuse the best practices in the region, as well as to promote a regional observatory, in order to supervise the performance of the sector and develop a system of information.

Regarding the Trans-Maghreb Motorway Axis project, Morocco is ready to launch the next phases of design and construction. The completion of the missing links of the Trans-Maghreb Motorway Axis would link the most important cities and ports of the Mediterranean, thus increasing trade and mobility of people and goods, and facilitating the integration of the countries in the African continent. (EU Neighbourhood Info)

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Press release

UfM – Transport and Urban Development

UfM Secretariat website

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