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Wednesday, October 2, 2013

■ MOROCCO: Bombardier proceeds with construction of its first African manufacturing facility in Nouaceur.

BombardierCanadian aircraft & train manufacturer, Bombardier Aerospace, has held a symbolic ground-breaking ceremony on the site of its future manufacturing facility situated in the now-open Midparc Casablanca Free Zone, in Nouaceur, Morocco. The occasion was attended by King Mohammed VI of Morocco, various Bombardier suits as well as Moroccan and Canadian dignitaries.

Bombardier’s 13'935sqm permanent facility is scheduled to be completed around mid-2014 with almost USD200million to be invested in equipment, buildings and start-up costs. By the end of 2020, employment at the Morocco facility is expected to reach 850 skilled and trained workers.
Bombardier is honoured to celebrate this milestone in the presence of his Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, as we move another step closer to the establishment of our permanent facility here in Nouaceur” said Hugo Brouillard, General Manager, Bombardier Aerospace, Morocco. 
In January 2013, Bombardier began operating out of a transitional facility located at the Mohammed V International Airport in Nouaceur in the Greater Casablanca region, where the company currently produces simple structures including flight controls for the CRJ Series of aircraft, and which will employ over 100 workers by the end of December 2013.
This event is an important recognition of Bombardier’s investment in the Moroccan aerospace industry,” said Souad Elmallem, Chief Country Representative Africa, Bombardier Aerospace. “Since making the decision to establish our facility in Morocco in November 2011, we have been encouraged by the growth of the aerospace cluster, and the engagement of all stakeholders in the region. We are confident that there is a bright future for Bombardier, and the whole aerospace industry in Morocco.

Located near Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport, the Nouaceur MidParc EPZ offers investors a 5 year tax-free honeymoon period, after which the rate rises to 8.75% for the next 20 years.