Moroccan and US FTA negotiators cite important headway
Morocco-USA, Economics, 7/23/2003

Moroccan-US negotiations a free trade agreement started in Washington on Monday are making important headway, said Moroccan and US negotiators

Delegate minister for foreign affairs and cooperation and chief negotiator for the FTA with the USA, Taib Fassi Fihri, said in a meeting held by the US Center of Strategic International Studies (CSIS) the accord will cement the strategic alliance between the two countries, promote investment and business opportunities and support the development and modernization process in the kingdom, recalling the fresh train of laws that were adopted in the kingdom, especially in labor and environment protection.

Fihri noted that some sector are very important for Morocco, like agriculture that provides a living for half the Moroccan population and due to its importance as a vector of social and economic development. The minister also hailed US initiatives to establish a partnership with the Middle East and a free zone area with Middle-Eastern countries.

On his part, congressmen Phil English who chairs a special commission in the Congress on the US- Morocco FTA hailed the progress achieved in trade negotiations between the two counties that "share a common history," stressing that Morocco is a strategic ally and was the first country to recognize the United States in 1777.

The congressman also highlighted Morocco's assets as a promising market offering several business and investment opportunities.

US chief negotiator and assistant trade representative, Catherine Novelli, said the FTA will back economic and political reforms carried out by Morocco to take up the challenges of globalization, hailing the north African country's determination to modernize the agricultural and legal sectors. She added that Morocco would be a regional hub for investment and trade given its geo-strategic location at the cross-road between the Middle-East, Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.

US ambassador in Rabat, Margaret Tutwiler, said several bodies in Washington are currently examining Morocco' needs and means that are likely to help it face the current difficulties, recalling Morocco's stand following 9/11.

Morocco and the USA are hoping to sign by end 2004 the agreement that was first announced in April 2002.

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