Moroccan - Tunisian joint maritime commission meets in Tunis
Tunisia-Morocco, Economics, 4/18/2000

The Moroccan - Tunisian joint maritime commission is currently convening in Tunis to finalize a cooperation agreement on sea transport.

The agreement will be an adequate framework to unify and coordinate stands at the level of international organizations, mainly in the World Trade Organization's negotiations on the liberalization of sea transport services, said Minister of Transport and Merchant Navy Mostapha Mansouri, who is leading the Moroccan delegation to the meeting.

He added that the accord will enhance cooperation in matters of training and exchange of expertise between the two north African countries.

Mansouri called the enterprises operating in the sector to upgrade partnership and join efforts to face up international competition.

Presently, there is only one sea connection between Casablanca and Tunis, serviced by the Moroccan Navigation Company (COMANAV) every 25 days.

Mansouri touched on the role of maritime transport in Moroccan economy saying that 98% of Morocco's trade exchanges are channelled through the sea. Moroccan maritime trade has jumped over the past two years going up from 34.4 million tons in 1998 to 52.7 million tons in 1999.

Tunisian Minister of Transport Houcine Chouk said the commission meetings reflect the two countries' determination to upgrade their cooperation and to enhance their trade exchanges, especially for the setting up of the Moroccan-Tunisian free trade area.

Morocco and Tunisia are bound by an agreement setting up a free trade area, concluded in March 1999. The accord provides for the suppression --as of the signing date-- of all duties on some 2,000 non-agricultural products carrying below 10% customs duty.

Other custom duties will be gradually lowered up to year 2007.

At the level of the Arab states, Morocco imports 10.3% from and exports 12.2% to Tunisia.

Morocco's exports to Tunisia are mainly made up of chemical wood paste, soluble coffee, tires, car spare parts, and industrial oils. The kingdom's imports from Tunisia consist of plastic items, electric transformers and TV sets.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco, Tunisia sign agreement for industrial cooperation   (12/7/1999)
  Tunisia to receive Moroccan businessmen in November   (11/11/1999)
  Tunisia, Morocco hold partnership days   (10/20/1999)

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