With the strategic location by the Atlantic Ocean and the mediterranean area, Morocco acts as a very important hub for China to enter into the markets of Europe, Middle East and Africa. 

 

On 17th Feb 2016, H.E.Mr. Jaafar Alj Hakim, the ambassador of Morocco to China, and Mr.Brahim Boudani, the economic counsoler, held a press conference for Chinese journalists, answering the wildly concerned questions about bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

 

 

 

A:Morocco has a liberal economy that treats local and international investors on the same footing. The Moroccan investment chart offers specific financial and fiscal advantages to investors as part of agreements or investment contracts to be concluded with the State. Morocco has a lot to offer to Chinese investors in areas such as automobile industry, aerospace industry, agriculture and fisheries, off-shoring, electronics, textile, tourism, renewable energies and logistics, to name but a few. 

 

 

A:Definitely green tea ! My country has become the first importer and consumer of Chinese green tea in the world. However, Moroccans are familiar with various Chinese commodities ranging from household appliances to electronics.  

 

 

A:Regardless of the tyranny of distance, Morocco and China share a long history of friendly exchanges. The famous Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta had set foot in China in the 14th century. At the end of a trip that had lasted for 29 years, he had committed his trip to a book and dedicated a whole chapter to his stay in China. Morocco has always played a key role in bridging the gap between China and Europe. Many achievements of ancient Chinese civilization were introduced to Europe via Morocco. At present, there are two Confucius Institutes in Morocco, and more youths are learning Chinese, as they get a foretaste of the Chinese culture and way of life through geography courses in high school. 

 

 

A:The ‘One Belt One Road’ is an ambitious vision of a wise Head of State. It is aimed at fostering cooperation along the historic Silk Road and maritime routes. Given the scale of the initiative, with the maritime part spanning 65 countries across three continents, the potential outcome is promising. . Morocco embraces the initiative fully and is optimistic about it. 

 

 

A:Countless opportunities, for sure. Challenges? I believe the initiative is rather an adequate answer to many challenges. Morocco and China are committed to a strategic partnership, and the initiative will definitely boost that framework, both economically and socially. 

 

 

 

A:Not easy to attract, regardless of the many incentives Morocco offers in terms of financial and fiscal advantages. China had long been a trading nation, with less experience in       overseas investment. However, the extraordinary changes it has undergone promoted its economic growth and entailed further expansion in overseas trade through investment. The primary focus was on Asia, then on advanced countries in Europe and the United States. Eventually, China moved towards Africa and focused on specific sectors in certain countries. Over the years, the Chinese groups have acquired a considerable experience investment-wise and are now turning to more interesting hubs. They are realizing the importance of Morocco as a hub in the region.

 

 

A:Morocco has become the region’s exporting hub thanks to its unique location at the crossroads of the main trade routes linking Africa, America, Europe and the Middle East. Such an important geostrategic position can be crucial for the incorporation of investments into the international trade flow. A combination of factors makes investment in Morocco an enjoyable and lucrative experience. Thanks to its qualified and competitive labour force, reduced tax rates, Morocco has become a competitive exporting platform. Morocco has concluded a number of FTAs, and negotiating others, with 55 countries, representing over a billion consumers, and 60% of world GDP. Culturally, the Moroccan people are open to other cultures and communication is not an obstacle as more youths are learning foreign languages. 

 

 

A:As I mentioned earlier, Morocco has a lot to offer to Chinese investors in areas such as automobile industry, aerospace industry, agriculture and fisheries, offshoring, electronics, textile, tourism, renewable energies and logistics, to name but a few. 

 

 

A:The legal framework governing the bilateral relations between Morocco and China consists of more than 130 agreements, covering all fields of cooperation. The legal arsenal is very advanced. In the future, we expect to launch a direct flight between Morocco and China, open a consular office outside Beijing, organize the 2nd bilateral economic forum (the 1st having been held in November 2014), conclude an agreement of currency swap, conclude an agreement of partnership between Casablanca Finance City and Shanghai Finance City, launch city twinning programmes, and open a visa office outside the Chancery endowed with more capacities in order to meet the increasing applications of Chinese tourists willing to visit Morocco. 

 

 

A:Morocco has strategic depth in West Africa, built on historical, cultural and religious relations. As such it can play a key role in linking those countries to the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and open new opportunities in the fast-growing economies of West Africa.

 

 

 

A:In 2008, the Moroccan government adopted a strategy to drive and reform the agricultural sector, promote the integration of agriculture into international markets and help agriculture achieve sustainable growth. The strategy was called the Green Morocco Plan. In total, the Plan is comprised of 1,500 projects requiring, until 2020, more than $10 billion to implement. Morocco is an agriculture-based country, and as a founding member of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Morocco pushes agricultural modernization up the list of priorities. As far as agricultural cooperation is concerned, a number of areas could be of interest such as irrigation, aquaculture, fertilizers, agricultural research, and mechanization.  

 

 

A:Exchanges and cooperation between Morocco and China in the cultural field is getting increasingly closer. At present, there are two Confucius Institutes in Morocco, and more youths are learning Chinese as they get a foretaste of the Chinese culture and way of life through geography courses in high school. More students are coming to China to study. Other activities such as cultural weeks have been held yearly to provide local people with a better picture of life in Morocco and showcase its various art forms and rich cultural heritage.  

 

 

A:A state visit had been scheduled in 2014 and then postponed. We are currently working on a Royal visit to China. In the past, such visits took place on both sides, and they translate the excellence of relations between our two countries. They undoubtedly reinforce our relations and boost them even higher. A number of agreements are expected to be signed during the visit within the framework of the strategic partnership.