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Morocco is eyeing direct air connectivity with India to support the rise in trade and tourism.

Morocco has emerged as a key supplier of phosphate-based fertilisers to India in the recent years. Tata Advanced Systems announced setting up of plant in Morocco last September to produce wheeled armoured platform.  Travel between two countries is increasing and discussions on direct flights have gathered steam.

“ We are in talks with Moroccan and Indian carriers for non stop flights,” Mohamed Maliki, Morocco’s ambassador to India told businessline.

Morocco pipped Egypt to become the most visited African nation in 2024. While the share of Indians in total arrivals is small, it is growing fast. Over 40,000 Indians visited Morocco in 2024 which is 43 per cent higher compared to 2023. Indian arrivals in the country have risen by 150 per cent compared to 2019.

“ Morocco is getting popular among Indian tourists and the e-visa has turned out to be gamechanger,” Maliki said on sidelines of OTM travel show in Mumbai.

Alongside tourism, Morocco is also pitching for more Indian investments in defence, information technology and logistics. It is also exploring export of fruits to India to diversify trade. Bilateral trade between two countries stood at $ 2.4 billion in FY 24 with faster growth in Indian exports.

Morocco is a member of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and China increasing its investments in the North African country given its close proximity and free trade agreements with Europe. This includes manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries.

“The development of our relations with China and India are not at the expense of another. We have several partners and India remains at the top,” Maliki said.

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