Morocco and Niger wish to conclude interim commercial accord
Morocco-Niger, Politics, 1/29/1999

Morocco and Niger voiced hope to conclude an interim commercial accord pending the enforcement of the Economic and Monetary Union of Western Africa (UEMOA).

The conclusion of the accord is one of the items debated by the Morocco-Niger joint commission, which is currently holding its second session in Rabat under the co-chairmanship of visiting Niger's foreign affairs and African integration minister, Maman Sambo Sidikou, and Moroccan foreign affairs minister, Abdellatif Filali.

UEMOA --which musters Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo-- plans to institute an economic and monetary unity as of year 2000.

The Niger's official examined on Thursday with Moroccan industry, trade and handicraft minister, Alami Tazi, prospects to conclude the accord.

The two African officials also proposed the conclusion of two accords to boost and protect mutual investments and avoid double-taxation.

Tazi called for the intensification of cooperation between the two countries' professional chambers and expressed Morocco's readiness to contribute to the training of executives from Niger's chambers.

Maman Sambo Sidikou also conferred with Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi, who called for translating into concrete actions the friendship and cooperation ties binding Morocco and Niger.

During the meeting, Youssoufi stressed the need to put an end to the pressure exercised by the enemies of Morocco's territorial integrity on the Moroccan Sahrawis who are to participate in the self-determination referendum in the Sahara.

The Niger minister underlined that Niamey backs Morocco's territorial integrity.

The Morocco-Niger Commission, which was set up in 1982, held only one session in November 1982 in Fez, Morocco.

Cooperation ties between the two countries are governed by several accords. During the sole year of 1998, three new accords were concluded in the fields of environment, water and tourism, in addition to a memorandum on political consultation between the foreign affairs departments.

Trade between the two countries is globally modest despite a regular increase in the past few years. The volume of bilateral commercial transactions went up from 5 million dh in 1995 (one usd $ equals 9 dh) to 10 million dh last year.

Trade between the two nations is one-way, Morocco importing nothing from Niger. Exports are made up of canned fish, garments, shoes and drugs.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco-Niger Joint Commission Meets in Rabat   (1/28/1999)
  Morocco determined to consolidate relations with African countries   (1/13/1999)
  Morocco and Niger sign cooperation protocol in water resource management   (7/29/1998)

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

Search