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Turkish contractors are poised to expand their footprint in Morocco’s infrastructure landscape as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, Trade Minister Omer Bolat said Friday during the Türkiye-Morocco Business and Investment Forum in Istanbul.
The 2030 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay across three continents to mark the tournament’s centenary, and the North African country is expected to launch major infrastructure upgrades ahead of the event.
Bolat emphasized that the Turkish construction sector, having already delivered 113 projects worth $4.2 billion in Morocco, is ready to support the country’s preparations for the global tournament through projects including stadium modernization, hotel construction, and upgrades to roads, railways, and airports.
"Our contractors have completed $100 billion worth of projects across Africa. In Morocco, they have already undertaken significant work, and they stand ready to collaborate with the Moroccan state for upcoming World Cup-related investments," Bolat said at the forum, which brought together nearly 400 public and private sector representatives from both countries.
The forum, organized by Türkiye’s Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) and Morocco’s General Confederation of Enterprises (CGEM), focused on strengthening trade and investment ties between the two countries.
The current bilateral trade volume stands at $5 billion under an 18-year-old free trade agreement, with Morocco’s exports to Türkiye rising ninefold and Türkiye’s exports to Morocco increasing eightfold during that period, Bolat highlighted. He also encouraged greater Turkish investment in Morocco, noting that 200 Turkish investors already generate approximately $1 billion in economic value in the country. "Investments accelerate trade, and we must not shy away from them," he said.
Morocco’s Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Omar Hejira echoed the sentiment, calling the forum "a practical step toward balanced economic cooperation." He stressed the importance of supporting joint industrial production and added that both governments are aligned in their commitment to deepen ties.
"The fact that Morocco will co-host the World Cup presents a range of opportunities, not just in sports, but across the entire economy," Hejira noted.
Despite robust trade figures, Morocco’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Mohammed Ali Lazreq, drew attention to relatively modest Turkish investment levels. Over the past decade, Turkish investment in Morocco has totaled just over $300 million, ranking Türkiye 17th among foreign investors in the country.
"This rank shows that Türkiye’s private sector must demonstrate greater willpower to seize Morocco’s promising investment potential," Lazreq said.
DEIK President Nail Olpak described Morocco not as a standalone market, but as a gateway to Africa and a broader platform for Türkiye’s international ambitions. He emphasized the potential for joint projects in third countries, particularly in infrastructure and logistics.
"We see Türkiye as the largest investment and technology hub between Western Europe and China," Olpak stated, highlighting Türkiye’s $800 billion total foreign trade and the country’s incentives across sectors like energy, agriculture, and industry.
Zeynep Bodur Okyay, chair of the Türkiye–Morocco Business Council, called for a shift from traditional supply-based partnerships toward joint value creation and technological collaboration. She identified automotive, textiles, machinery, logistics, and agricultural modernization as key sectors for co-production aimed at both African and European markets.
"We can transform our Free Trade Agreement into a catalyst for high-value investment," Okyay said. "Together, we can build a new Türkiye–Morocco economic axis."
CGEM President Chakib Alj said the evolution of Türkiye–Morocco economic ties is just beginning. He described Türkiye as a provider of scale, technology, and expertise, while Morocco offers agility, talent, and access to diverse markets. "Together, we can create value chains that serve Europe, Africa, and beyond," Alj said.
The forum concluded with sector-focused panels on textiles and automotive industries, featuring success stories and partnership models.
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