South Korean conglomerate Hyundai Rotem has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Morocco’s rail sector, aiming to play a key role in the country’s ambitious 2040 Rail Plan in partnership with the National Railway Office (ONCF).
On the eve of Morocco’s Throne Day celebrations, Jeong Hoon Kim, Head
of Rail Solutions at Hyundai Rotem, praised the country’s “exemplary” investment climate and emphasized the group’s desire to deepen its collaboration with ONCF. Already an existing partner, the company intends to take a more active part in shaping Morocco’s rail future.
In February, Hyundai Rotem signed a $1.5 billion (about €1.38 billion) contract with ONCF to supply double-decker trains. Capable of reaching speeds of up to 160 km/h, these trains are expected to boost connectivity between Casablanca and key regions, responding to the country’s growing demand for rail mobility.
Jeong Hoon Kim noted that Hyundai Rotem has been monitoring the Moroccan market for over a decade and now regards the Kingdom as a strategic long-term hub.
“Morocco has demonstrated remarkable resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and has emerged as a highly attractive destination for industrial investment,” he stated.
The company has expressed strong interest in the 2040 Rail Plan, a comprehensive roadmap launched by the Moroccan government and ONCF to modernize existing infrastructure, extend the network to underserved areas, and enhance both urban and logistics connectivity.
Hyundai Rotem aims to contribute to the design and implementation of this national strategy by establishing deeper industrial cooperation.
Morocco’s political and economic stability, along with its increasingly competitive industrial base for exports to Europe, are key factors that, according to Kim, support greater engagement.
The company’s statement comes as Morocco and South Korea deepen their economic ties. The North African country already hosts several Korean firms, including Hands Corporation, which operates a car component plant dedicated exclusively to the European market. The rail sector could now emerge as a new pillar of bilateral cooperation.
MK/te/sf/lb/gik/APA