Marrakech Plans to Relocate Polluting Industries to Improve Urban Air Quality

An eco-responsible Marrakech contributing to the well-being of its inhabitants. This is the dream of the governor of the Marrakech-Safi region for the city’s residents, particularly those living in neighborhoods where polluting industries are located. To make this wish a reality, he is betting on the relocation of factories. And, he is already active on this project. Accompanied by the city officials, Farid Chourak inspected potential sites for these new industrial zones last weekend, reports Maroc Diplomatique. A proposal has been put on the table: the establishment of a modern industrial zone, capable of accommodating up to 200 companies. A promising site has already been identified within the commune of M’Hamid. With an area of 20 hectares, this site can accommodate this ambitious project.

In Harbil, the delegation visited a site on which an extensive logistics zone of 165 hectares will be developed, in line with the national strategy to strengthen the country’s logistics competitiveness. Currently, a land search in the Essaada district to locate a space dedicated to production units of equipment and spare parts, which will be integrated into the renovation project of the Sidi Ghanem industrial zone, is ongoing.

This ambition of the governor of Marrakech in the Marrakech-Safi region, which is part of a risk prevention approach associated with the coexistence of industrial activities and living spaces, worries some companies. Concerns that can be summed up as "significant disruptions" that this policy could generate in their usual functioning, the "financial repercussions" not negligible, particularly on their cash flow, but also the costs associated with the relocation and installation in new premises, as well as the possible interruptions of activity.

The implementation of this policy "must take into account the economic realities of the affected companies", in order to preserve the economic vitality of the region while progressing towards a more sustainable and healthy city, the companies believe, calling for "in-depth consultation" with the authorities and the establishment of aid schemes to mitigate the financial burden and facilitate the transition to the new industrial zones.