U.S.-Morocco council on trade and investment meets in Rabat

The US-Morocco Council on Trade and Investment will meet April 10-11 to study means to upgrade bilateral cooperation.

The Council, formed by the U.S.-Morocco Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) signed in 1995, provides an opportunity for senior government officials to explore ways to promote an attractive investment climate in Morocco and to expand and diversify trade between the two countries.

Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Catherine Novelli will lead an interagency delegation of U.S. Government officials to the third meeting of the Council.

U.S. Ambassador to Morocco, Margaret Tutwiler noted that previous meetings of the TIFA Council had contributed to deeper economic ties between the two countries. "Following the January visit of U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick," added Ambassador Tutwiler, "these TIFA Council meetings will allow us to explore further ways in which the United States can support Morocco's economic reform program. We will continue to seek opportunities to create economic growth and opportunities for Moroccans through increased trade and investment flows between Morocco and the U.S."

The delegation accompanying Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Novelli includes Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce Molly Williamson and trade policy officials from the Department of State, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, and the Office of the Trade Representative. The delegation will also include officials from the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Embassy in Rabat.

In addition to meetings with Moroccan government officials, the delegation will meet with members of Morocco's business community, civil society leaders, and representatives of non-governmental organizations.