On Saturday, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch inaugurated the Moroccan pavilion at the Paris International Agricultural Show, where Morocco is the first foreign guest of honor. Akhannouch was accompanied by French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, Morocco's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests Ahmed El Bouari, as well as Ambassador of His Majesty the King in Paris Samira Sitail. Together, they cut the ribbon to officially open the Moroccan pavilion. Le chef du gouvernement marocain et le MAE français ont pris le temps de discuter avec de nombreux exposants marocains et de goûter aux nombreux produits du terroir? pic.twitter.com/g2lIn0lbpb — Yabiladi.com (@yabiladi_fr) February 22, 2025 Following the inauguration, Akhannouch toured the pavilion and engaged in discussions with Moroccan exhibitors, in the presence of several members of the Moroccan community. French political figures, including Vice-President of the French National Assembly Naïma Moutchou, President of the France-Morocco Friendship Group in the French Senate Christian Cambon, and Senator Hervé Marseille, also participated in the visit. For Akhannouch, Morocco's presence at the Paris International Agricultural Show as guest of honor for the first time in the event's history reflects the «deep friendship» between Morocco and France, as well as the importance of agriculture and the solidarity of Moroccan farmers. He emphasized that Morocco's participation highlighted local products and the involvement of all territories, specifically noting the contribution of women's cooperatives showcasing their products. «This demonstrates the variety and richness of the agricultural products we have in our country», Akhannouch said. Amidst the exceptional relations between the two countries, Morocco's recognition at the 2025 SIA (February 22-March 2) underscores the uniqueness of the France-Morocco partnership. It is also a fitting tribute to Morocco, which has become a regional and continental leader in sustainable agriculture. The Kingdom will occupy a 476 m² pavilion, showcasing the diversity and richness of its agriculture at the heart of the Show. Organized under the motto "A French Pride," the 61st SIA is expected to attract over 600,000 visitors, with 4,000 animals and 1,000 exhibitors spread across a 16-hectare site with 9 pavilions. Morocco's tribute at the SIA is also a precursor to an upcoming event: next April, France will be the guest of honor at the International Agriculture Exhibition in Morocco (SIAM) in Meknes. This exchange serves as a powerful symbol of the complementary relationship between the two nations, extending beyond trade to tackle significant challenges in the sector, such as food security, water resource management, and agricultural innovation.
