Morocco, Turkey hold joint economic commission

Morocco and Turkey opened on Monday works of their 7th joint commission to try to increase bilateral trade exchanges from $ 156 Mln posted in 1999.

Moroccan industry, trade, energy and mining minister, Mustapha Mansouri, said trade between Morocco and Turkey is limited to some products like Turkish wheat, barley, steel items and Moroccan phosphates and by-products. He added that the two countries have concluded a series of agreements between the chambers of commerce and industry and export promotion centers.

A Moroccan-Turkish business council, set up in 1990, held its latest meeting in September 1997 in Casablanca.

For the Moroccan minister, only a dynamic participation of the private sector is likely to seize the huge opportunities and to create conditions for mobilization of all trade and investment possibilities and set up joint ventures.

Morocco is also ready to serve as a gate for Turkey to reach African markets, said the minister.

For Turkish state minister, Hassan Gemici, who leads his country's delegation comprising business executives and officials, the two Mediterranean countries need to update the legal frame regulating their trade and to reach a free-trade and a non-double taxation agreements. He added that the joint commission ought to meet at least once a year.

The meeting will wind up this Tuesday. The commission was set up in 1996 under an agreement of economic, scientific and technical cooperation signed in 1984.