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Moroccan-Japanese Agreement Paves the Way for a New Generation Fishing Port in Essaouira
In the framework of enhancing bilateral cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and Japan, a memorandum was signed and exchanged yesterday in Rabat alongside a supplementary grant agreement provided by the Japanese government, aimed at implementing the project for the redevelopment of a new generation fishing port in the old city of Essaouira.
The signing ceremony was conducted between Zakia Driouich, the Secretary of State for Fisheries, and Yohei Onishi, Japan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, who is on an official visit to Morocco, along with Tomoyuki Kobata, the resident representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the Kingdom.
An official statement explained that this supplementary grant comes to complete the initial financing for the project, for which the exchange of memos was signed in the city of Safi on January 22, 2025, along with the specific grant agreement signed in Agadir on February 6, 2025, with a total value of 2.003 billion Japanese yen, equivalent to approximately 133 million dirhams.
Thanks to this additional support, the total financing amount has increased to 2.505 billion Japanese yen, approximately 157 million dirhams, which is intended for the redevelopment of the fishing village in old Essaouira, originally built in 1998 under Moroccan-Japanese cooperation.
The source added that this funding is part of the non-reimbursable financial cooperation provided by the Japanese government, aimed at establishing a new generation fishing village integrated into its economic and spatial environment, ensuring comprehensive implementation of all project components in line with set objectives and high standards of quality, efficiency, and sustainability.
This structural project will contribute to activating one of the strategic axes of the “Halieutis” plan by developing modern and structured traditional fishing ports, ensuring the quality of marine products from the moment of unloading to consumption. It aligns with the priorities of Japanese cooperation with Morocco, particularly regarding enhancing economic competitiveness, improving productivity in the fisheries sector, developing infrastructure, and diversifying local activities.
Moreover, the redevelopment of the fishing village in old Essaouira, through modernizing its facilities and integrating new functions, aims to create greater added value for traditional fishing products, improve the working conditions of fishermen, and incorporate economic activities linked to the local port heritage.
In conclusion, the statement affirmed that the signing of the supplementary grant agreement reflects Morocco and Japan’s commitment to continuing and strengthening their cooperation in the field of fisheries, contributing to the sustainable development of coastal areas and improving the living conditions of fishing communities.
