Pragmatic actions adopted to promote Morocco in U.S., US diplomat

US ambassador in Rabat, Thomas Riley, said his country has adopted a pragmatic drive to promote Morocco in the United States after the two countries signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) last June 15.

The FTA is recognition of political and economic reforms ushered in Morocco and of the friendship binding the Moroccan and American peoples, the US diplomat told the three-monthly magazine "Al-Maliya."

The free trade accord, signed after seven rounds of negotiations, eliminates tariffs on 95 percent of all bilateral trade between the United States and Morocco.

The ambassador cited as an example 'Fruit of the Loom' that recently invested $100 millions in textile-clothing in the north African country.

Such concrete examples are likely to play as incentives to convince American economic operators invest in Morocco, he said. Riley believes the FTA's success depends on the will of investors and economic operators to discover potential markets.

The ambassador also cited the example of car spare parts, saying Morocco is a country that attracts specialized foreign investors in this realm. "Investors operating in the free zone of Tangier are very satisfied with the results," he said.

Riley said American negotiators were totally aware that some Moroccan sectors are sensitive, including agriculture and textile. He noted, however, that they have reached with their Moroccan peers a balanced agreement that preserves Morocco's interests.