expo 2012

By Naoufel Cherkaoui for Magharebia in Rabat – 19/11/2007

[Naoufel Cherkaoui] Tangier hopes to bring the Expo to Africa for the first time

Delegations from the Paris-based International Bureau of Exhibitions (BIE) have concluded a second visit to Morocco on November 13th to assess the country’s bid to host the 2012 World Expo in Tangier. At the end of the three-day visit, most of the group’s 150 delegates – representing 74 BIE voting countries – affirmed the viability of Morocco’s bid and its strong potential.

On the second day of the visit, delegates attended a conference in Marrakesh under the title, “Cultural Meetings and Diversity”. During the conference, Moroccan Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi expressed his government’s “commitment to meeting all its obligations to ensure the success of this important event.”

He added that since submitting its bid in June 2006, Morocco has taken all the “financial, customs and security measures required to guarantee the success of this bid.”

Senior royal advisor André Azoulay said, “I don’t see anything more important than the Moroccan candidacy; the country is providing an important opportunity for the international community, through the dynamism that would be created should Tangier win.”

Azoulay added that Tangier meets all the required conditions and that “it is about time Africa and the Muslim Arab regions are given their true importance by the international community by acknowledging their ability to host an international exhibition.”

Frederico Zaragoza, chairman of the Tangier Expo 2012 International Support Committee, said, “I think Morocco’s bid is good. I also think that the North must now look towards the South. Morocco has been a BIE member since 1928 – thus, it has given its vote to several countries and on several occasions.” Zaragoza also said neither Africa nor South America has yet had the honour of hosting an Expon hoteles viajes.

Moroccan Communications Minister Khalid Naciri said during the conference that “the nomination of Tangier represents [Morocco’s] contribution to building a world where there is more fraternity and friendship.” He added, “The bid is part of an effort by Morocco to enable the world to manage its differences in an atmosphere of peace, solidarity and friendship.”

Commenting on the Moroccan bid, BIE Secretary-General Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales said, “We are approaching the end of a campaign that I would describe as very intensive and intelligently-run, and which has not only enhanced the image of the country and shed light on its capabilities, but also boosted its chances of [success].”

The BIE visitors also travelled to the proposed event site in Tangier, a 25-hectare plot intended to receive 6 million visitors during its 3-month period, with a daily average of 130,000 visitors.

The official budget according to the proposal is 5.3 billion dirhams.

Moroccans pin great hopes on their bid to host the 2012 Expo, which is expected to generate significant revenue for the state treasury. This is in addition to an anticipated tourist boom, which is one of the government’s top priorities.

The winning city will be officially announced on November 26th.

This content was commissioned for Magharebia.com.

Tags: tanger expo 2012

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