US deputy secretary of commerce visits Morocco

Visiting US Deputy Secretary of Commerce Robert Mallett met in Rabat Thursday with Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi to discuss bilateral cooperation and ways to upgrade the Moroccan economy.

Youssoufi shed light on government priorities such as incentives to investment to promote employment and improvement of the socioeconomic environment through new legislation and instruments like the inter-department investment commission. He voiced satisfaction at the role played by Washington in rescheduling Moroccan debt and underscored the importance of the Eizenstat initiative for the Maghreb region.

Mallett said the US government and investors were following reforms operated in the kingdom, mainly those related to public markets, liberalizing of prices and competition, customs and insurance. He hailed Moroccan moves to attract investment, encourage small and medium enterprises and fight corruption.

With Home Minister Ahmed Midaoui, Mallett explored ways to increase American private investments in Morocco, especially in the realm of the privatization of public services.

Upon arrival Thursday, Mallett said, "The United states is very interested in strengthening and enhancing our economic and commercial relationship with Morocco."