Paris International Agricultural Show Honors Morocco as First-Ever Foreign Guest Country…
In a first, the International Agricultural Show (SIA), set to take place from February 22 to March 2 in Paris, will honor Morocco as its featured foreign country, announced the organizers on Tuesday.
During a press conference to present this major event, French Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Annie Genevard emphasized that this is the first time the show is honoring a foreign country’s agriculture, “a partner and friend of France.”
“Our farmers have much to learn from each other. French agriculture, also facing climate-related challenges, can greatly benefit from Morocco’s experience, especially in the area of water management,” Genevard stated.
The French minister told presse she was “very happy” to see Morocco honored as the guest country for the first time in the history of this prestigious show. “France has had long-standing and varied cooperative relations with the Kingdom in the agricultural field.”
This cooperation reflects the friendship between the two countries, as Morocco’s presence at the show continues the State visit recently made to the Kingdom by the French President, she pointed out.
For his part, Jérôme Despey, president of the SIA, highlighted that this year, the event organizers made “a heartfelt and forward-thinking choice” by selecting Morocco as the guest of honor. “We’ve been planning this choice for five years, and today we’re proud to have made it a reality.”
For his part, the Director General of the Agricultural Development Agency, Mr. Mehdi Rifi, explained that Morocco’s selection as the guest country reflects the friendship and close cooperation between the two countries, as well as the importance of the agricultural and forestry partnerships they share.
Morocco will participate in this prominent event with a central pavilion covering an area of 476 square meters, where Moroccan local products will be showcased, the result of the work of cooperatives with generational expertise, in addition to agricultural products that reflect the richness and diversity of this sector.
The Moroccan official also confirmed that the public will have the opportunity to discover other aspects of Morocco’s authenticity and excellence through cultural and artistic activities, as well as tasting Moroccan products and dishes.
In a statement to the press, Mr. Rifi expressed his pride in seeing Morocco participate in this major event for French agriculture as the guest of honor, considering that this choice is “based on strong historical and friendly ties between the two countries.”
He added that the Moroccan pavilion would be up to the level of this honor, pointing out that the Kingdom will be represented by a strong delegation including officials, professionals from the sector, and producers.
Under the theme “A French Pride”, the 61st International Agricultural Show will welcome over 600,000 visitors. Around 4,000 animals will be on display, and 1,000 exhibitors will be present across 16 hectares, where 9 pavilions will be set up.
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