Moroccan- Italian industrial partnership probed at Casablanca conference

Moroccan and Italian economic operators will meet this Feb.13 at a conference on Moroccan-Italian industrial partnership.

The conference will debate the topic from several perspectives: the Euro-Mediterranean, free-trade area and globalization and bilateral perspectives.

Presentations will be made by officials from the two countries industry, trade, energy and mining ministries. The opening session will be attended by Moroccan ministers in charge of trade, industry, energy and mining and Italian minister of industry and foreign trade.

The conference will also feature workshops on textile and leather, environment, mechanic and electronic industries and fish-related activities. Other workshops will probe how to upgrade the international competitiveness of Moroccan enterprises, financial and banking services, prospects of industrial projects partnership and financing services.

Italy is Morocco's fifth client and fourth supplier. In 1999, the volume of Italian investments reached 135 million DH ($ 12.8 mln), marking a 100% growth compared to 1998. However, they only account for 0.7% of foreign investments in Morocco.