Belgian business delegation visits Morocco

Minister of foreign trade and environment of the Brussels region, Didier Cosuin, started Sunday a visit to Morocco, leading a Belgian business delegation.

Cosuin, who described Moroccan-Belgian relations as "excellent," told reporters upon arrival in Casablanca that the visit would promote contacts between the two countries' businessmen.

He added that the Belgium-settled Moroccan community -- estimated at 200,000 -- plays a key role in the European country's economy.

The delegation, including executives of some thirty enterprises operating in environment, engineering and consulting, will meet several Moroccan officials and economic operators, as well as members of the employers' association, La Confederation Generale des Entreprises du Maroc (CGEM).

Didier Cosuin will meet the acting chairman of the Hassan II foundation of the Moroccan Community abroad, Omar Azziman, the minister of youth and sports, Ahmed Moussaoui, and the secretary of state for environment, Ahmed Iraqi.

Meetings are equally scheduled with the heads of the ports exploitation office (ODEP), of the phosphates corporation (OCP), and the Casablanca chamber of commerce, industry and services. Morocco's imports from Belgium are made up of chemical products, machinery, medical products and plastic items while exports to the European country consist of phosphates, citrus fruits and textiles.