Morocco, Sweden sign agriculture cooperation accord

Morocco and Sweden signed Monday a cooperation accord to promote cooperation and exchanges between the two countries in the field of agriculture.

The accord provides for the exchange of scientific, technical, economic and commercial information and for enhanced contacts to promote agriculture investments and partnership between the two countries' private operators.

The accord was initialed by visiting Swedish Minister of Agriculture and Maritime Fisheries Margareta Winberg and her Moroccan peer, Habib Malki.

The two countries are bound by several accords in air transport, international road transport, and reciprocal protection of investments.

During her talks with Moroccan officials, the Swedish minister said Moroccan agriculture produce, especially citrus fruits, are highly appreciated in Sweden. She said that 9% of overall citrus fruits consumed in Sweden come from Morocco.

Besides cooperation in agriculture, the Swedish-Moroccan talks covered the role of women in the development process, especially in the rural world.

She voiced her country's determination to extend assistance to rural women to help them set up their own enterprises and involve them further in the social-economic development process.

Moroccan and Swedish experts on their part held a meeting to examine modes of establishing cooperation between Moroccan farmers and the federation of Swedish farmers, similar to the one existing between Sweden and the Baltic countries.

Stakes of women's participation in rural development are also probed by the experts.

The Swedish official who started her visit to Morocco Monday is accompanied by representatives of private enterprises operating in the sectors of irrigation, forestry and women's integration.