Moroccan textile industry holds 4th fair in Barcelona

The Moroccan association of textile and apparel industry held this June 19-21 its 4th fair (VETMA) in Barcelona to promote business relations between Moroccan and Spanish operators and Moroccan products and know-how in Spain.

The fair, dedicated by Morocco's industry, trade and energy minister, Mustapha Mansouri, seeks to promote Spain's ranking from 3rd to 2nd client of Moroccan textile and garments products.

Some 80 Moroccan companies took part in the VETMA fair.

Last year, Spain's share of Moroccan textile and garments exports stood at 14%, compared to France (40%) and great Britain (23%). Its imports were valued at 3.52 billion DH in 2000 (US$ 320 million), compared to 1.77 billion DH (US$ 160.9 million) a year before. Morocco is Spain's 5th largest supplier of textile and garments items, behind Italy, China, Portugal and France.

A conference on investment incentives offered by Morocco was moderated by the Moroccan minister who briefed potential businessmen on Morocco's ambitious program of industrial compounds which gives companies land plots and other facilities at competitive prices.

The Moroccan official also met managers of "Burberry's" multinational firm which has a branch in Morocco. The branch manufactures an annual one million items exported to Spain.