The economic boom currently enjoyed by Tangier, the city bidding to host the 2012 International Exhibition, will be confirmed and sustained by the inauguration of the Tanger Med Port, which in its final form will be the largest port in the Mediterranean and in Africa. The port will be opened by His Majesty King Mohammed VI on July 27 2007.
The annual capacity of Tanger-Med I is 3.5 million TEU (twenty
foot equivalent units), corresponding to 8.5 million containers.
The new port will make Tangier one of the major shipping
hubs of the Mediterranean.
Renault-Nissan, have expressed interest in establishing themselves in the vast industrial free zones adjoining the port complex, which will place the site at the spearhead of Northern Morocco’s economic development.
APM Terminals, a subsidiary of the Danish group Maersk, has
been awarded the 30 year concession for the first terminal.
At the inauguration ceremony, Mr. McKinney Moller, the
Maersk group’s major shareholder, emphasized the port’s
location at the meeting point for routes to four continents, and
declared that it would play a key role in the economic growth
of Morocco, which is making every effort to enhance its role in
the world economy.
B y t h e e n d o f 2 0 0 8 , Ta n g e r -M e d w i l l h ave a cq u i re d
a state -of-the -art hydrocarbons terminal, to be run by
a consortium of Kuwaiti, Emirati and Moroccan operators.
I n addition, a roll-on/roll-off port capable of handling seven
million passengers and 700,000 heavy goods vehicles per year
will soon be inaugurated.
This infrastructure symbolizes Tangier’s economic lift-off, and
will reinforce the city’s role as a major crossroads for the
world’s trade and human routes.
•
Tanger Med Port is open to maritime traffic
• Interview with Mr. Boutros Boutros Ghali
• Morocco puts up a convincing show in Paris
• Reception in Paris for the BIE ambassadors
• Expo Tanger 2012 : Making participation possible for all
• The OIF supports Tanger 2012
• Tangier will be the site for the Renault-Nissan group’s most competitive factory worldwide
• The BIE community is expanding
The BIE General Assembly which was held in Paris on 19 June 2007 provided an opportunity to set out the details of the overall
organizational plan for Expo Tanger 2012. Emphasis was placed on the fact that all these plans meet the requirements laid down
by the BIE.
Tangier’s presentation made use of numerous
audiovisual supports. A three-dimensional
presentation of the site chosen for the
Exhibition attracted special attention. It
allowed all those present to appreciate the
appealing features of this site, which the BIE
enquiry mission described as ‘an attractive
site ideally located five kilometers from the
city centre, on the Bay of Tangier, with
access to the sea front’.
The Moroccan delegation also showed a film presenting the theme of Expo Tanger 2012. A further film demonstrating Morocco’s
ability to organize large-scale international events was also included in the presentation.
Mr. Dahman Derham, Mayor of Tangier, recalled that Tangier, a crossroads city, has a natural vocation for bringing all the world
together in the spirit of openness and exchange which characterizes international exhibitions. He also emphasized the
mobilization of the people of Tangier in support of their city’s candidature.
Mr. Adil Douiri, the Moroccan minister of tourism, took the floor to reaffirm the Moroccan government’s commitment to providing
solid and reliable support and partnership for the BIE and for Expo Tanger 2012.
Mr. Mohamed Hassad, president of the Association Tanger 2012, ended the presentation by insisting on the importance of giving
developing countries the opportunity to organize events as significant as international exhibitions. « Our greatest hope is that the
2012 International Exhibition will put an end to the tendency for certain countries to monopolize the organization of major
events, since this monopoly can only have negative consequences for the world’s balanced and sustainable development. »
I N T E R V I E W
Mr. Boutros Boutros Ghali : « We can write the
future, a future with a human face in which a
more united world is possible, as suggested by
the theme of Expo Tanger 2012. »
Q1 : What were the reasons which led you to
agree to be a founding member of the
International Support Committee for Expo
Tanger 2012?
Mr. Boutros Boutros Ghali : First, because Morocco is a
country close to my heart, an Arab country like Egypt. Second,
because Africa has never had the honour of hosting an
international exhibition.
And finally, because Tangier is
washed by the Mediterranean, the sea where the world’s most
ancient civilizations met and mingled.
The « Routes of the World », which are at the centre of Tanger
2012’s theme, trace upon the map of the world the
movements of men, women and ideas and make possible
encounters and dialogues which can contribute to the
humanization and the democratization of globalization.
In choosing Tangier, the BIE will be making a historic decision.
This will be the first exhibition on the continent of Africa, a
continent which is facing enormous challenges but which has
vast potential, and which is seeking to play a more prominent
role on the international scene.
Q2: You have known Morocco for a long time. What does the
city of Tangier represent for you?
Mr. Boutros Boutros Ghali : I got to know Morocco while it
was fighting for its independence in the fifties, when I was a
student in Paris, working with the Maghreb office at the Arab
League. I have continued to follow the country’s development
all through my own career, first as a university professor, later
as foreign minister, then Secretary General of the United
Nations, and finally as Secretary General of the OIF (the
International Organization of Francophonie).
I have followed with interest the various transformations
Tangier has undergone, and I hope to see it again in 2012 as
the venue for the first International Exhibition to be held in an
African or Arab country.
Q3 : What are your feelings about the theme « Routes of the
world, cultures connecting. For a more united world » ?
Mr. Boutros Boutros Ghali : We are living in a period of
mutation: we are witnessing the end of the era of states and the
dawn of a transnational era. We must prepare public opinion to
understand this mutation and take steps to be ready for it.
The theme chosen for Expo Tanger 2012 will help the public to
gain a better understanding of globalization. In short, it is a
theme which reflects the mutations which will profoundly
transform society and the lives of men and women at the
dawn of this third millennium.
INTERVIEW WITH MR. BOUTROS BOUTROS GHALI
Former Secretary General of the United Nations
MOROCCO PUTS UP A CONVINCING SHOW IN PARIS
On 19 June 2007, the Minister of Tourism and the Moroccan
Embassy in France hosted an official reception in honour of the BIE
delegates in the beautiful setting of the Pavillon Gabriel in Paris.
During the evening, Mr. Wu Jianmin, president of the BIE,
remarked upon the tremendous impression made upon him by
the « exceptional enthusiasm displayed for Tangier’s bid to host
the 2012 International Exhibition ». Mr. Wu Jianmin had been able
to see for himself the extent of this enthusiasm when he visited
Tangier a month earlier.
« Tangier is a wonderful city and I wish it the best of luck in its bid
to host this important international event », he added.
As for Mr. Gonzalez Loscertales, Secretary General of the BIE, he
expressed his view in a charming turn of phrase : «The routes of
Morocco lead us to the most diverse places, all of them imbued
with friendship, hospitality, joy and culture.»
He also expressed his satisfaction at the fact that the BIE was
«enriched by three excellent candidatures for Expo 2012». Finally,
he declared that Tangier’s candidature was «supported by great
historical experience, an unrivalled cultural heritage and a strategic
location making it a crossroads between Europe and Africa».
This official reception gave all those present a foretaste of the
Moroccan hospitality which will characterize Expo Tanger 2012.
Musical interludes and a fashion show displaying traditional
Moroccan outfits gave the guests an idea about the diversity of
Moroccan culture. This memorable event was attended by many
distinguished figures, both French and Moroccan, from the world
of politics, the arts and sport.
N E W S
RECEPTION IN PARIS FOR THE BIE AMBASSADORS
EXPO TANGER 2012 :
MAKING PARTICIPATION POSSIBLE FOR ALL
Expo Tanger 2012 is seeking to encourage the participation of the largest possible number of countries,
international organizations, NGOs, corporations and members of the scientific community.
This determination springs from the conviction that an International Exhibition can only fulfil its role properly if it
allows a full range of voices and opinions to be heard.
The Expo Tanger 2012 organizing committee is therefore planning to make a special effort to facilitate and
encourage the participation of as many delegations as possible.
Everything has been arranged to make this participation easy and accessible.
Thus participants will have at their disposal pavilions with entirely adjustable layouts, which will allow them to
adapt the exhibition space to suit their particular requirements.
Morocco’s modest production factor costs mean that the total cost of participation is estimated at only 330$ per
m². This sum covers not only the fitting out and dismantling of the pavilions but also running costs and
accommodation for the expatriates in the team.
As the first ever international exhibition to be held in Africa, Expo Tanger 2012 seeks to take the initiative and
provide concrete aid for developing countries wishing to participate in the exhibition, in particular by bearing all
their participation expenses. This will ensure the presence of a varied and balanced range of participants
representing all the world’s regions.
U P D A T E S
THE OIF SUPPORTS TANGER 2012.
The International Organization of Francophonie (OIF)
expressed its support for Tangier’s candidature for the hosting
of the 2012 International Exhibition at the 64th session of the
Permanent Council of Francophonie (CPF).
The personal representative of the Moroccan Prime Minister at
the CPF presented Tangier’s candidature during this session,
reminding those present that the whole of Morocco is
mobilized in support of Expo Tanger 2012 and determined to
revive « the pioneering spirit which has characterized the great
International Exhibitions that have marked the history of
humankind ».
The International Organization of Francophonie’s rallying in
favour of Tanger 2012 comes after many other international
expressions of support for Tangier’s bid.
TANGIER WILL BE THE SITE FOR
THE RENAULT-NISSAN GROUP’S
MOST COMPETITIVE FACTORY
WORLDWIDE
Just a few weeks after its inauguration, the new port of
Tanger-Med is already beginning to attract significant foreign investments.
Thus, on September 1 2007, Tanger-Med saw the signature, in
the presence of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, of a
preliminary agreement between the Kingdom of Morocco and
the Renault-Nissan Group to build a factory capable of an
annual output of 400,000 vehicles.
90% of the vehicles produced by this factory will be exported
worldwide, using the infrastructures of the Tanger-Med Port.
The future factory will be linked by rail and road to the new port.
The Renault-Nissan Group will invest around 1 billion euros in
this project, and is seeking to make the factory the most
competitive in the world.
The plant will create more than 6000 direct jobs, together with
around 30,000 indirect jobs among the various parts suppliers.
The Renault-Nissan factory in Tangier will be one of the largest
in the Mediterranean area, and will contribute greatly to the
city’s industrial development.
THE BIE COMMUNITY IS
EXPANDING
The list of countries that are members of the International
Exhibitions Bureau has been extended by the addition of four
new member countries : Ecuador, Pakistan, Syria and Kuwait.
Expo Tanger 2012 welcomes these new members, whose
presence within the BIE will strengthen the universal vocation
of the organization and its ideals.
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