Enhancing Trade Relations Through Expanded Transport Licenses
In a significant development for the logistics sector, professional organizations representing freight transport operators have applauded the recent agreement between Morocco and France to increase the quota of transport licenses allocated for bilateral exchanges and transit from 50,000 to 70,000 licenses. This announcement was made by Abdel Samad Kayouh, Morocco's Minister of Transport and Logistics, during a press conference held on the sidelines of a high-level meeting between Moroccan and French officials on July 15 and 16, 2026. The agreement is seen as a vital step in enhancing the trade relationship between the two nations, providing much-needed support for professional transport operators.
Despite the optimism surrounding this agreement, industry leaders have raised concerns regarding persistent challenges, particularly the refusal of French authorities to grant visas to a significant number of professional drivers. Eastern Hashimi, General Secretary of the National Federation of International and National Transport Professionals, emphasized that while the agreement is beneficial, it is crucial to address the visa issues that hinder drivers from fully utilizing the expanded quota. He expressed hope that these obstacles would be resolved promptly, ideally within the current government's tenure, to avoid leaving the matter unresolved for a future administration.
Addressing Visa Challenges for Professional Drivers
Hashimi also highlighted the previous difficulties faced by Moroccan transport professionals, noting that many drivers have had their visas expire quickly, causing significant disruptions in their operations. He urged the relevant authorities to expedite the implementation of the agreed-upon measures to ensure that these professionals can effectively engage in cross-border transport activities. Similarly, Mustafa Chahoun, Secretary-General of the Democratic Organization of Transport and Logistics, commended the new agreement for facilitating the entry of Moroccan trucks into French territory. However, he echoed concerns regarding visa applications, which, according to him, are often rejected by the French embassy, affecting even seasoned drivers who have maintained a clean record for over twenty years.
Chahoun pointed out that the processing times for visa applications are excessively long, causing delays in professional commitments with packaging companies and export factories. Furthermore, he expressed apprehension regarding the new Entry-Exit System (EES), which limits the duration of professional drivers' stays in the Schengen area to 90 days, posing additional challenges for logistics operations. He called on the Moroccan government to engage proactively with the European Commission to find comprehensive solutions to the visa challenges and the EES framework before the end of the current term.
As reported by hespress.com.
