Morocco, Ireland to set up business council
Morocco and Ireland agreed on Wednesday to set up a business council that will contribute to developing bilateral commercial and economic ties.
The agreement was reached during talks held by visiting Irish Premier, Bertie Ahren, with members of the Moroccan industrial federation (CGEM).
The two sides studied means to enhance Irish investments in Morocco. They agreed, in this connection, to hold a seminar in Ireland with the participation of Moroccan firms interested in pilot projects in Ireland.
CGEM members briefed the Irish Premier on the various business opportunities Morocco offers to Irish investors.
Meantime, Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi on Wednesday called on Irish investors to make the most of the various business opportunities offered by Morocco.
Youssoufi speaking at an exchange of toasts at a dinner banquet he hosted in honor of visiting Irish peer, Bertie Ahren, called Morocco and Ireland to consolidate their commercial and economic cooperation and hoist it to the level of the aspirations of the two countries' people.
Youssoufi also stressed the importance of Ahren's visit to Morocco, the first of the kind of an Irish premier to Morocco.
The Moroccan premier renewed on the occasion, Morocco's attachment to its territorial integrity and its backing to the United Nations settlement plan. He stressed the Kingdom's readiness to prospect all means likely to favor a peaceful solution of the Sahara issue, part of Morocco's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
For his part, the Irish premier lauded the reforms ushered in by Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, in the realms of economy, human rights and education.
He also called on Morocco and Ireland to benefit from the economic opportunities offered to them in economic and commercial fields.
Youssoufi and Ahren held earlier in the day a meeting during which they examined means to upgrade Moroccan-Irish cooperation, especially in the realms of trade and new information technologies.
Youssoufi told the press after the meeting that Morocco wishes to benefit from Ireland's cooperation in new information technologies.
Youssoufi deplored that the Moroccan-Irish cooperation is still limited to the association accord binding Morocco and the European Union. "We expect to boost commercial and cultural exchanges through direct contact between the two countries private economic operators and diplomats," he said.
Ahren said his country is ready to lay down the foundations of a strong cooperation with Morocco in matters of new information technologies.
Touching on the Sahara issue, the Irish premier said his country grants a special interest to the Sahara issue, noting that Ireland backs all efforts to settle the issue.