Rabat– The Moroccan government examined two major strategic initiatives during its cabinet meeting in Rabat on Thursday, focusing on international customs cooperation and the modernization of the national port sector.
The government first reviewed the customs cooperation agreement signed between Morocco’s Customs and Indirect Taxes Administration and Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority on March 5, in Mecca. The accord establishes mutual recognition of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status, a mechanism designed to streamline and secure trade between the two countries.
Under the agreement, companies holding AEO certification in either Morocco or Saudi Arabia will benefit from simplified procedures, faster border clearance, and strengthened customs trust.
Minister Delegate for Relations with Parliament, Mustapha Baitas, noted that the draft law approving the agreement, submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, marks a new milestone in institutional and economic collaboration between Rabat and Riyadh.
National Port Agency to Become a Public Limited Company
During the same meeting, the Council approved draft law No. 34.25, transforming the National Ports Agency (ANP) into a public limited company. Presented by the Minister of Equipment and Water, the reform aims to provide the port sector with a more agile, coherent, and efficient governance structure to meet growing demands from logistics and industrial investments.
The transformation is expected to modernize institutional frameworks, improve coordination between public and private actors, and enhance planning and management capacities for major port projects. Minister Baitas emphasized that this move aligns with Morocco’s integrated national vision for port development, supporting key sectoral strategies across energy, industry, agriculture, fisheries, and logistics.
High-level appointments
The cabinet also approved several senior-level appointments in accordance with Article 92 of the Constitution:
- Ministry of National Education, Preschool, and Sports: Mohamed Boudchiche appointed Director of the Regional Academy of Education and Training for the Béni Mellal–Khénifra region.
- Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation: Said Chakiri as Director of the Scientific Institute of Rabat; Bouchra Lebzar as Director of the National School of Commerce and Management in Marrakech; Ahmed Chaqroun as Director of the Higher School of Technology in Safi.
- Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development: Nourddine Moussafir appointed Director of Fuels and Mining Industries.
- Ministry Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform: Samia Chakiri appointed Director of Administrative Simplification and Digitalization.
