Morocco, Italy probe consolidation of fisheries cooperation

Means to reinforce Morocco-Italian cooperation in fisheries topped talks held in Rabat Tuesday between Moroccan fisheries minister, Tayeb Rhafes, and Italian under-secretary of Agricultural and Forestry Policy Paolo Scarpa.

Talks also dealt with cooperation prospects in vocational training, aquaculture, sea products marketing and shipyards.

Rhafes called Italy to contribute to shipyards' upgrading in Morocco.

In addition, the two sides probed cooperation outlooks in quality development of fisheries products through personnel training.

The Moroccan and Italian officials expressed determination to broaden cooperation in aquaculture.

Bilateral cooperation is particularly marked these last years by an intense activity of Italian NGOs with a financial support of the Italian ministry for Agricultural and Forestry Policy. Three NGOs have carried out development projects for the development of traditional fishing in three Moroccan cities.

During a roundtable organized on the same day, the Moroccan fisheries minister thanked the Italian government for its contribution to the development of this sector.

Fisheries generate over 50,000 direct jobs in Morocco.