Moroccan-Indian trade exchanges probed

Means to enhance trade between Morocco and India were probed at a meeting Tuesday in Casablanca with Moroccan and Indian officials attending.

Participants stressed the need to identify all possibilities likely to spur trade between Morocco and the Indian sub-continent.

They deplored that bilateral trade is still low and not matching the two nations' potentials.

India's imports from Morocco are made up mainly of phosphates, natural and chemical fertilizers and phosphoric acid, while Moroccan imports from this country consist of cotton, equipment (engines and hardware), fabrics, synthetic fibers and spices.

India is Morocco's 5th client and 29th supplier. Trade stood at US$150 million in 2001. The two countries try to lift the volume to US$1 billion in 2004.

India's ambassador to Morocco, Rajagopalan, who chaired the Casablanca meeting said the objective is achievable provided that the fields and products are accurately identified and the Moroccan and Indian private sectors are strongly involved.

To reach this objective, the diplomat called for more information campaigns.

Participants in the meeting noted that the Moroccan-Indian business council can play a key role in this connection.

India can serve as a gateway for Morocco to Asia and Morocco can play the same role for Indian products to Africa and Europe, they said.