Morocco prospects business and partnership with French northern city

A Moroccan-French business and partnership meeting was held on Wednesday in Lille, northern France, in the frame of "le Temps du Maroc en France," the year-long festival on Morocco hosted by France in 1999.

The meeting assessed Morocco's performance and needs in the sectors of textile, ready-made garments, leather, agri-business, transport, tourism, maintenance services and engineering.

The participants in the meeting underlined the progress scored by Morocco which is often mentioned as "a model of economic and industrial development," "the most free market in Africa" and as "most dynamic for foreign investments."

The participants were informed on the structural reforms introduced in Morocco's commerce, finance, banking and customs systems.

On the fringes of the seminar, French Minister of Employment and Solidarity Martine Aubry handed to the Moroccan ministers of social development and of trade and industry, Khalid Alioua and Fathallah Oualalou, the medal of the French city of Lille, as a token of the esteem of French partners for the efforts made by Morocco in matters of social and economic development.

Mrs. Aubry announced on the occasion that a mural water fountain will be built downtown to perpetuate "Le temps du Maroc en France."

She said the event is meant to shed light on all the richness and marvels of the kingdom that she described as "a nation of tradition," "a strategic bridge between the two banks of the Mediterranean" and "a crossroads between Europe, Africa and the Arab world."

Lille is also hosting a Moroccan textile and garments show from March 29 through April 4.