Meinhardt Group, an Asian-based engineering company turned global leader, has officially launched its first-ever office in Morocco, marking a significant milestone in its regional expansion strategy.
During a press conference in Rabat on Monday, Meinhardt shared the group’s vision for contributing to Morocco’s infrastructure growth and supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The company also unveiled ambitious plans for the Moroccan market and its role in promoting sustainable regional development.
During the event, CEO of Meinhardt Group Omar Shahzad, outlined the company’s exciting plans to leverage its decades of global expertise in infrastructure, smart city planning, and sustainable development.
Shahzad shared his enthusiasm to launch in Morocco with Barlaman Today. He explained: “This allows us to better position ourselves for opportunities in the built environment industry in Morocco and across Africa. What Meinhardt can bring to the table is our involvement in everything from the planning of smart cities to the design of buildings—whether it’s skyscrapers, hospitals, or airports.” The CEO of the leading group expressed: “We are also ready to contribute to critical infrastructure projects like tunnels, water systems, and wastewater projects. This is a very exciting chapter for us.”
Shahzad highlighted that the timing of the company’s expansion into Morocco is ideal. “We’ve been eyeing Morocco for a while and have been impressed with its economic stability and growth prospects.” The CEO notes how Morocco’s vision aligns with Meinhardt’s, “especially in terms of building sustainable, large-scale infrastructure and construction projects. We believe Morocco offers enormous potential and now is the right time for us to establish a base here,” he remarked.
Morocco is a ‘critical gateway’
Meinhardt’s move to Morocco is closely linked to the country’s ambitious plans for infrastructure development, particularly ahead of international events such as the 2030 World Cup. Shahzad noted, “While Morocco is already home to many beautiful hotels and attractions, the upcoming World Cup and the growing tourism sector will require additional investments in infrastructure, from modern airports to transportation systems and hospitality facilities. This is where we see opportunities to contribute to Morocco’s future development.”
The well-established company’s expansion also reflects Morocco’s growing appeal as an international hub for business and investment, particularly in the construction and infrastructure sectors. “Morocco is positioning itself as a critical gateway between Europe and Africa, and this is one of the key factors that make it an ideal base for us,” Shahzad explained.
“With the government’s commitment to long-term growth and infrastructure development, we’re confident that our presence here will enable us to help drive that vision forward, while also tapping into other fast-growing markets across Africa.”
Bringing decades of expertise
At the press conference, Meinhardt’s leadership team further stressed the company’s commitment to working closely with local stakeholders and respecting the country’s rich cultural and architectural heritage. “Morocco has a rich cultural and architectural heritage, and it’s important for us to respect that while introducing a modern touch,” Shahzad stated. For the company, the CEO said it is important to “work with local architects to ensure that our projects complement the country’s traditions while bringing in the best practices from around the world.”
The topic of seismic resilience also came up during the conference, given Morocco’s geographical vulnerability to earthquakes. Shahzad assured that Meinhardt’s engineering expertise would play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and sustainability of the projects. “Seismic considerations are vital in Morocco, and we take this very seriously. We have extensive experience in regions with seismic risks, and we are committed to ensuring that the infrastructure we design is resilient and built to last,” he stated.
The conference also featured statements from Ehab Ibrahim, Meinhardt’s Regional Director for the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, who shared insights into the company’s broader regional vision. Ibrahim highlighted how Morocco’s growing role as a leader in the African market influenced the group’s decision.
“Morocco is positioning itself as a leader within Africa, and this is an incredibly important factor for us. The country’s growing technological and infrastructure initiatives make it an ideal place for us to expand,” Ibrahim told Barlaman Today. “We see Morocco as the ideal base to reach both North and Sub-Saharan Africa, and we are very optimistic about the opportunities here.”
Ibrahim also stressed that Meinhardt’s long history in the Middle East gives the company a strong advantage in understanding. “We have been active in the Middle East for over 30 years, and this experience has given us a deep understanding of the cultural, economic, and technical aspects of infrastructure projects in this region,” he explained.
For Ibrahim, the move allows Meinhardt the opportunity to bring that knowledge to Morocco, “while also bringing international expertise from places like Singapore and India to deliver sustainable, innovative solutions,” he added.
Endless opportunities
Looking ahead to 2030, both Shahzad and Ibrahim expressed high expectations for the growth of Meinhardt’s operations in Morocco. Ibrahim stated, “We believe the opportunities in Morocco are massive, and the office will grow faster than expected. The market is dynamic, and we are eager to contribute to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”
Meinhardt Group’s entry into Morocco also ties into the broader regional trends in infrastructure and sustainable development. Shahzad pointed out that Morocco’s Vision 2030 offers immense potential for companies like Meinhardt to get involved in diverse projects. “We expect to see a strong uptick in infrastructure projects, especially in transport, sports facilities, and hospitality,” Shahzad said. “Morocco’s commitment to sustainability and modernizing its infrastructure will create significant opportunities for us to make a positive impact.”
Morocco continues to modernize its infrastructure and build for the future, Meinhardt is well-positioned to contribute to the realization of Morocco’s ambitious goals, offering nearly seven decades of expertise and innovative solutions to help meet the demands of the 21st century.
With Morocco now firmly on the international map for both tourism and business, Meinhardt’s new office represents a strategic step in helping the Kingdom build resilient, sustainable infrastructure to support its long-term growth.