Saudi Arabia, Morocco set to boost economic ties with focus on trade, sustainable development

The visit aligns with the SFC’s strategy to enhance economic cooperation and facilitate investment. Shutterstock
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Updated 03 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia, Morocco set to boost economic ties with focus on trade, sustainable development

  • Saudi delegation held several meetings with ministers to discuss strategic trade and investment issues
  • Morocco ranks as the Kingdom’s 57th largest trading partner in terms of exports

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia and Morocco are set to enhance economic ties by expanding trade and cooperation in agriculture, renewable energy, and sustainable development following a Saudi business delegation’s visit to Rabat.

As part of a business trip that began on June 29 to Mauritania and Morocco, a delegation from the Saudi Federation of Commerce, led by chairman Hassan Moejeb Al-Huwaizi and joined by 30 top investors and company officials, visited Rabat to explore investment opportunities and enhance cooperation between the public and private sectors. 

The delegation held several meetings with ministers to discuss strategic trade and investment issues, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The visit aligns with the SFC’s strategy to enhance economic cooperation and facilitate investment, reflecting the shared vision for the future between the Kingdom and Morocco. Their trade volume reached SR5 billion ($1.33 billion) in 2024, with exports from Saudi Arabia totaling SR4.3 billion and imports amounting to SR640 million.

According to the SFC, Morocco ranks as the Kingdom’s 57th largest trading partner in terms of exports and 51st in terms of imports. Saudi Arabia’s main exports to Morocco include cars and vehicles, insulated wires, chemical fertilizers, and women’s clothing. The primary imports from Morocco comprise refined petroleum, cars and vehicles, vehicle accessories, and wheat.

“The delegation began its meetings with the Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, to discuss ways to enhance commercial cooperation and expand the volume of trade exchanges between the two countries,” SPA reported.

It added that the delegation also met with Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water, and Forests Ahmed El-Bouari, who highlighted the significant potential in the agricultural and maritime sectors, opening new horizons for cooperation in production and export.

The meetings included a session with Karim Zaidan, the delegate-minister to the head of government in charge of investment, convergence, and the evaluation of public policies, during which investment opportunities and joint projects contributing to sustainable development were discussed, as per SPA.

The report said that the Saudi delegation also met with Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali to explore cooperation in renewable energy, with a focus on exchanging experiences and expertise in this vital sector.

Morocco’s economy is demonstrating continued resilience and diversification, with the country’s foreign trade volume reaching $120 billion in 2024, according to data from the FSC.

The nation’s gross domestic product for the same year is estimated at $155 billion, underscoring sustained activity across key sectors. The country holds a BB+ credit rating and ranks 60th globally in terms of economic performance.

The services sector remains the backbone of the Moroccan economy, accounting for 54.2 percent of the nation’s GDP. It is followed by industry at 24.5 percent and agriculture at 11.06 percent, reflecting a balanced contribution from both modern and traditional economic drivers.

In terms of trade composition, Morocco’s top imported goods include fruits, textiles, and transport equipment. Meanwhile, the country’s main exports comprise chemical products, industrial goods, as well as leather and rubber.


JLL to invest in PIF-backed FMTECH to boost Saudi facilities management sector

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JLL to invest in PIF-backed FMTECH to boost Saudi facilities management sector

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund announced on Monday that US-based real estate services firm JLL will acquire a significant stake in Saudi Facility Management Co., known as FMTECH, a subsidiary of the sovereign wealth fund.

In a press release, PIF said it will retain a majority ownership in FMTECH following the transaction.

Saad Alkroud, head of local real estate investment at PIF, said facilities management plays a central role in the Kingdom’s real estate and infrastructure ecosystem and is a key pillar of the fund’s local real estate strategy.

He noted that the strategy supports economic transformation and diversification, promotes urban innovation, and enhances quality of life.

“JLL’s investment will further accelerate FMTECH’s development and unlock new growth opportunities that will benefit the wider facilities management sector,” Alkroud said.

FMTECH was launched by PIF in 2023 as a national integrated facilities management company, providing services to PIF portfolio firms as well as public- and private-sector clients across Saudi Arabia.

The investment enables JLL to broaden its service offering in the Kingdom while deepening its existing partnership with PIF.

Neil Murray, CEO of real estate management services at JLL, said the investment brings together JLL’s global operational expertise and technology-driven facilities management capabilities with FMTECH’s deep understanding of the local market.

“By combining our strengths, we aim to deliver high-quality, efficient services to clients in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding facilities management market,” Murray said.

FMTECH is expected to leverage JLL’s international network and operational experience to develop new commercial opportunities while supporting the localization of expertise and advanced technologies.

According to the press release, the company will integrate JLL’s digital facilities management platforms and global operating systems, significantly enhancing service quality, efficiency, and transparency across its operations.

The transaction aligns with PIF’s broader strategy to attract domestic and international private-sector investment into its portfolio companies, helping unlock their full potential while advancing the Kingdom’s economic transformation agenda and generating sustainable long-term returns.