Moroccan-Dutch businessmen probe investment opportunities

Dutch businessmen currently visiting Morocco, part of a commercial mission this April 7-12, led by foreign trade minister, Gerrit Ybema, held a series of meetings with Moroccan peers to probe possibilities of partnership.

Talks covered investment opportunities in Morocco, especially in seafood, agricultural products, and potato production and exportation.

The business people were informed on activities of Moroccan companies operating in international trade, banking, small and middle-sized enterprises, poultry farming, horticulture, gas, canning industry, computing and communication.

The delegation, which also includes Moroccan-born members, had met several Moroccan officials, mainly ministers of economy, privatization and tourism, Fathallah Oulaalou, of fisheries, Said Chbaatou, and of industry, commerce, energy and mining, Mustapha Mansouri.

The Moroccan officials who stressed the need of strengthening the two countries' trade relations, and encouraging Dutch investments in Morocco, exposed the country's efforts to attract foreign investors.

Mansouri said Moroccan-Dutch trade knew a profitable increase, but is still short of the two countries' excellent relations.

Gerrit Ybema said he is convinced Moroccan-Dutch commercial ties will be stronger in the future thanks to the Moroccan economy's openness on the world, and the favorable conditions it offers for investments.

He also lauded the two countries' excellent relations dating back to 1605 when Morocco was the first Moslem country with which the Netherlands signed a cooperation agreement.

Moroccan-Dutch trade for 2000 was estimated at 500,000 Euro, and the Moroccan community living in the European country counts some 300,000 people.