Morocco-US free trade talks launched officially in Washington
Morocco-USA, Economics, 1/22/2003

Free trade talks between Morocco and the US started Tuesday, under the co-chairmanship of Moroccan delegate minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri, and US trade representative, Robert Zoellick,.

"A free trade agreement with Morocco will expand our already strong relationship with a key economic and political partner," the U.S. Trade Representative said at a joint news conference held with Fassi Fihri.

Such an accord will help promote trade opportunities for economic operators and businessmen and boost foreign investments in Morocco, he added.

The US trade representative recalled the support of the two countries' heads of state to the project, describing Morocco as a strategic market, and a country engaged in large-scale reforms, under the conduct of a democratically elected government.

Morocco's attachment to sealing such an accord evidences its will to set up a "strategic partnership" with a country with which it shares adherence to values of democracy and economic and political freedom, Fassi Fihri said, emphasizing Morocco's interest in diversifying its economic and commercial partners for mutually beneficial trade.

The Moroccan official stressed the importance of such an accord, not only at the trade level, but also for enhancing investments necessary to job-creating growth.

The second round is scheduled in Morocco next March. The two countries hope to complete an agreement by the end of this year.

Previous Stories:
  Amcham in Morocco: US-Morocco FTA Success Depends on Improvements of Moroccan Business Environment   (12/4/2002)
  Moroccan-US trade relations at center of talks in washington   (11/28/2002)
  Morocco's economy mostly free, Heritage Foundation   (11/14/2002)

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