Moroccan, Senegalese businessmen probe commerce, industry partnership
Morocco-Senegal, Economics, 5/25/2002

A Moroccan business delegation from several sectors of activity met in Dakar Thursday Senegalese peers to probe economic, commercial and industrial partnership.

During a plenary session at the Dakar chamber of commerce, industry and agriculture, Moroccan state secretary in charge of foreign trade, Abdelkrim Benatik, called the two parties to opt for "a strategic partnership, rather than a classical one."

The two countries economic operators should contribute to rising the level of commercial exchanges "which are still short of their potential and their excellent political relations," he added.

The meeting stressed the need to set up a Moroccan-Senegalese Development Bank to guarantee the flow of bilateral exchanges.

It is time to think of a form of special bank cooperation or funds to accompany the economic partnership.

Senegalese minister of commerce and SMEs, Aicha Agne Pouye, called the two countries' private sector to seek new realms for cooperation, which would be mutually fruitful. She gave the example of Air Senegal International, where Morocco's carrier RAM holds nearly half the capital, and whose results in one year exceeded all speculations.

Morocco will be the honor guest of the 15th Dakar International Fair, at the recommendation of president Abdullah Wade, the minister said.

Agne Pouye lauded the results of the latest Morocco-Senegal high joint commission, held last February, during which the two nations signed several cooperation agreements, including one on the creation of a Morocco-Senegal Business Council.

The Moroccan mission, to wind up May 26, is made up of representatives of some 20 companies operating in several fields including agribusiness, paper production and distribution, textile, telecom, electricity, networking, metallurgic industry and engineering.

The Moroccan Center for export Promotion (CMPE), which is organizing the mission, said Morocco-Senegal exchanges, though weak, saw a regular progress during the last years. The overall trade volume increased from US$ 5.7 million to US$ 18.9 million between 1995 and 2000, which is a rise of more than 45%.

During 2000, however, Senegal was Morocco's 106th provider with 0.04% of the overall importation (US $0.7 million), and Morocco's 33rd customer with 0.23 of the overall exportations (US$ 18 million).

Previous Stories:
  Morocco, Senegal sign six cooperation agreements   (3/2/2002)
  Morocco's power company to purchase Senegalese company   (11/29/2001)
  Morocco participates in Dakar airport construction   (6/15/2001)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search