Morocco-Japan: Exchange of Notes and Additional Grant Agreement Signed for the Port of Souiria K’dima
An additional Exchange of Notes and a Grant Agreement concerning extra funding from the Japanese government for the development of a new generation fishing port in Souiria K’dima (Safi province) were signed on Tuesday in Rabat, as part of the strengthening of cooperation relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and Japan. The Exchange of Notes and the Grant Agreement were signed by the Secretary of State to the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests in charge of Maritime Fisheries, Zakia Driouich, the Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Onishi Yohei, and the Resident Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Morocco, Kawabata Tomoyuki.
This additional grant supplements the initial financing, for which the Exchange of Notes was signed in Safi on January 22, 2025, and the Grant Agreement on February 6, 2025 in Agadir, amounting to 2.003 billion Japanese yen, or about 133 million dirhams (MAD). With this additional support, the total funding now reaches 2.505 billion yen, or about 157 million MAD. This financing is intended for the redevelopment of the fishing village of Souiria K’dima, which was initially developed in 1998 within the framework of cooperation with Japan.
As part of Japan’s Non Reimbursable Financial Cooperation, this funding aims to provide Morocco with a new generation fishing village, integrated into its economic and territorial environment.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Driouich said that the signing aims to support the development of the Souiria K’dima landing point, with a view to turning it into a modern infrastructure fully integrated into the dynamics of the blue economy.
The Secretary of State also stressed the strategic nature of this project, which falls within the framework of the High Royal Guidelines relating to the development and enhancement of the national coastline, recalling the ambition to equip Morocco’s coastline with structured landing points and fishing villages at regular intervals.
In this context, she specified that the Souiria K’dima landing point was selected as a pilot project, intended to be durably integrated into the blue economy and to serve as a structuring socio economic hub at the regional level.
For his part, Mr. Onishi, on an official visit to the Kingdom, welcomed this partnership, recalling that the port, developed 27 years ago with Japan’s support, is a strong symbol of Morocco Japan cooperation.
He noted that this new phase will improve quality and production while strengthening the tourism dimension, thereby consolidating the port’s role as a major economic hub for the entire region.
The additional grant will ensure the full implementation of all components of the project in line with the objectives defined at its launch, and guarantee optimal, sustainable execution in accordance with high standards of quality and functionality.
This structuring project will contribute to the implementation of one of the strategic pillars of the Halieutis Plan through the development of modern, structured and well equipped artisanal fishing ports, ensuring optimal quality of fishery products from landing to consumption.
It also falls within the priorities of Japan’s cooperation policy with the Kingdom of Morocco, particularly in strengthening economic competitiveness through improved productivity in the fisheries sector, the development of economic infrastructure and the diversification of local activities.
The redevelopment of the Souiria K’dima village, through the modernization of its existing facilities and the introduction of new functions, aims to generate greater added value for artisanal fishing products, improve working conditions for fishermen and integrate new economic activities linked to the local port heritage.
The signing of this additional Exchange of Notes and Grant Agreement confirms the shared commitment of the Kingdom of Morocco and Japan to continue and deepen their cooperation in the field of maritime fisheries, in the service of sustainable development of coastal areas and the improvement of living conditions for fishing communities.
Editorial team/le7tv
