Morocco, Qatar probe free trade zone set up, ambassador

Morocco and Qatar, which are convening the 1st session of their joint commission this Friday, are envisioning to set up a free trade zone, Qatar's ambassador to Rabat, Sakr Ben Moubarak Mansouri, said Thursday.

"Contacts and consultations are underway," said the diplomat.

The diplomat voiced optimism as to the outcome of the meeting as the two states are scheduled to sign several agreements which, he said, "will serve the interests of the two sister countries, which have already signed several cooperation accords."

Talks will cover the fields of economy, commerce, energy, transport, telecommunications, agriculture, healthcare, education and sports, Sheikh Hamad said.

The Morocco-Qatar high joint commission is held under the chairmanship of Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, and his Qatari peer, Sheikh Hamad Ben Jassem Ben Jabr Al-Thani.

Morocco, is signatory along with Jordan, Tunisia and Egypt to the Agadir declaration (2001) that sets up a free trade zone between Arab-Mediterranean states.