Morocco, Japan review fisheries cooperation

Means to upgrade cooperation ties between Morocco and Japan in fisheries and related sectors topped talks held here Monday by Moroccan fisheries minister, Tayeb Rhafes, and Japanese deputy agriculture, forests and fisheries minister, Toyoaki Ota.

Talks focused on customs rights, sea products marketing and cooperation in training and port infrastructures.

Ota arrived Monday for a three-day visit to Morocco during which he will probe with Moroccan officials means to up existing ties between Rabat and Tokyo.

Japanese tuna ships have been operating in Morocco since 1985 against annual compensations and a financial backing to the development of Morocco's fisheries sector.

The accord is renewed annually after consultation between the two countries competent authorities.

Under the accord, Japan's Tuna Association extends Morocco annual fisheries equipment, worth US$ 30,000.

Morocco's sea products exports to Japan stood at 2.14 billion dirhams, nearly US$ 214 million, in 2001.