Private sector called to foster Morocco, Senegal economic relations, Wad)
President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal has called for an "active" involvement of the private sector to consolidate economic relation between his country and Morocco through the creation of joint ventures like Air Senegal International.
"Now that the private sector is developing throughout the world (É), it is sad that Morocco-Senegal economic relations are not developing," said Wade in an interview with MAP on the eve of the visit of King Mohammed VI of Morocco to Senegal, last leg of a five-nation African tour.
Exchanges between Morocco and Senegal did not exceed US $27 million in 2003, in spite of a net evolution compared to 1998 when they were estimated at US $16.5 million. These exchanges represent only 0.13 percent of Morocco's foreign trade.
To tackle this situation, "I believe what we should do is to have a Moroccan permanent department store in Senegal (É) specialized above all in textile" and other realms where Morocco has high quality products.
Wade said he would invite employers and trade chambers of the two countries to suggest to them the opening of a "Morocco's House " in Dakar.
The president also deplored that the private sector still has not materialized the project of a sea link between Dakar and Casablanca, pledging to work for "changing" this situation.
As for the road linking Dakar to Tangier (Northern Morocco), he said this project has reached an "advanced phase," pointing out that, once completed, this would be the first international link between Africa and Europe.
On the requests of economic operators for the conclusion of a free trade agreement between Morocco and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), he recalled that heads of state of the Union had approved the conclusion of such an accord with Morocco and Tunisia "but some companies voiced objection (to this step)."
He pointed out, however, that he would "study" this question and inquire about what hinders its advancement.
Morocco and WAEMU, which groups eight West African countries including Senegal, initiated a trade and investment agreement in 2000 but it is still not signed.
Wade proposed the creation of a "large economic community" including Maghreb and Sub-Saharan countries to boost economic exchanges in Africa.
Besides, Wade labelled relations with Morocco as "very special," highlighting the role of the Moroccan community in Senegal in strengthening ties between the two countries.
