Morocco, US agreed on FTA general guidelines, minister
Morocco-USA, Economics, 6/19/2003

Morocco and the US have agreed on the general guidelines of the legal framework of the free trade accord during the 3rd round of negotiations held earlier this month in Rabat, Moroccan delegate minister for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri said Tuesday.

Briefing the House of Advisors on FTA negotiations, Fihri explained that the 3rd round helped negotiators bring their viewpoints closer, but nothing was decided as far as mutual preferential conditions and the progressive dismantling of custom duties are concerned.

This does not mean there are divergences, he noted, stressing that the indecision about some points stemmed from a common desire to agree on realistic and appropriate preferential relations and to conclude the agreement in the best conditions.

After he recalled that the accord aims to carry on the Moroccan trade liberalization process and gain more investments, the official said the negotiators are heeding the specificity of the Moroccan economy, notably in the sectors of industry, services, fisheries and textile.

Other considerations that needed to be taken into account are associated with different regulations, especially those regulating investment, environment, social realms and intellectual property, he went on.

The delegate minister further stressed that a previous accord was concluded between the two sides and that it determines transition steps and the accompanying measures in order to reach positive results, benefit from opportunities offered by the accord and avoid possible negative impacts.

Concluding the agreement will help in upgrading the competitiveness of Moroccan enterprises and will create an investment-friendly atmosphere, he noted.

The first two FTA negotiation rounds were held last January and March. the fourth round is scheduled during the last ten days of next July.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco underscores progress towards FTA accord with US   (6/12/2003)
  US start third FTA round   (6/5/2003)
  Morocco's premier holds talks with US assistant secretary of commerce   (5/29/2003)

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