Moroccan-Senegalese commission meets in July to set cooperation priorities

Morocco and Senegal have decided to convene their joint commission next July in Dakar to set priorities for cooperation, partnership and trade, says a joint statement published at the end of an official visit to Senegal by King Mohammed VI (May 22-24).

The two countries, which hailed the quality and level of bilateral cooperation, argued that the legal framework needs to be adapted to the new globalization context and focus should be put on priorities, partnership programs and trade.

King Mohammed VI and Senegalese president, Abdoulaye Wade, who expressed the will to deepen and consolidate bilateral cooperation, said they shared the same opinions on all major issues discussed while officials from the two countries hailed the finalization of the agreement initialed last October by Morocco and the West African Monetary and Economic Union, the joint statement, released on Saturday went on.

The two countries also said they will go ahead with the Casablanca-Dakar sea line project as well as the Eurafrican road to increase trade exchanges.

Regarding joint ventures, the example of Moroccan carrier "RAM" which bought 51% of the privatized Air Senegal was cited as an example to be followed to set up joint ventures between the two countries. The statement singled out public works, electricity, telecom, fishery, tourism, and cultural and technical exchanges as priority sectors for future partnership.

In this context, Morocco's electricity office (ONE) announced it will transfer to its Senegalese counterpart (SENELEC) and operate four electricity production units, of 20 megawatts each.

In telecom, Morocco, which privatized its telecom sector, will be helping Senegal reform its telecom sector and create a telecom regulation agency.

The two African countries further agreed to increase air and sea links as the best support to upgrading exchanges.