Moroccan and Belgians economic operators called to upgrade partnership
Morocco-Belgium, Economics, 4/14/1999

The Moroccan and Belgians economic operators have been called to upgrade their partnership and to initiate joint ventures to benefit from the economic opportunities offered by the two countries.

The calls were launched by both Moroccan and Belgian officials at the various encounters held in Rabat on the occasion of the official visit Prime minister of Belgium, Jean-Luc Dehaene, paid to Morocco on Tuesday, and that he described as "very fruitful."

At a luncheon hosted in his honor by the Moroccan employers' association (CGEM), Jean-Luc Dehaene, called on Belgian nationals of Moroccan origin to contribute to the creation of small and medium-sized enterprises.

He surveyed on the occasion bilateral economic and trade relations and recalled that since 1993, Belgium invested some

$ 44.2 million in Morocco and in 1998, trade exchanges between the two countries reached a record level as they exceeded $ 625 million (6 billion DH). However, he noted, despite this noteworthy performance, Morocco ranks third among Belgium's North-African partners.

He called economic operators to diversify exchanges which are now limited to some specific sectors such as textile, phosphates, by-products, machinery and transport equipment.

"Belgium is open to you, with all its assets," he told the Moroccan economic operators adding that the Belgian government is prompted by a strong political will to upgrade Belgian-Moroccan partnership.

CGEM chairman, Abderrahim Lahjouji, on his part said the Moroccan side is calling for a long-term strategic partnership wherein each of the two sides will play a decisive role in matters of competitiveness and wealth generating.

He stated in this respect that the fisheries dossier requires a new approach, now that the Morocco-European Union fisheries accord --which expires in November 1999-- will not be renewed. He said partnership in the fisheries sector for example must target fishing fleet equipment, fish conditioning and transport and sea products processing.

He also called for reconsidering the agricultural dossier, the indebtedness issue and the Mediterranean cooperation programs.

Previous Stories:
  Belgian premier in Morocco Tuesday   (4/12/1999)
  Morocco's textile exports post 6.7% growth since 1994   (4/10/1999)
  Belgian group ready to assist Morocco renovate its railway network   (2/17/1999)

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