CASABLANCA, MOROCCO — Morocco says stronger trade and industrial cooperation with China could create new opportunities for investment, manufacturing and access to international markets.
Director General of Industry at Morocco’s Ministry of Industry and Trade Youssef Fadil says cooperation between the two countries can be expanded in sectors including construction machinery, agricultural trade and infrastructure.
Mr Fadil was speaking at the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo held in Casablanca, which brought together Chinese and African businesses seeking commercial and investment partnerships.
He explained that stronger cooperation could help increase bilateral trade while supporting Morocco’s industrial development.
More than 300 Chinese and African companies participated in the three-day event, with exhibitions covering new energy, construction machinery, vehicles and automotive components, medical equipment, agricultural products and food.
Chinese companies also held business-to-business engagements with Moroccan distributors, manufacturers and potential investment partners.
President of the Morocco-based Africa China Cooperation Association for Development, Nasser Bouchiba, says China’s expanded zero-tariff policy for African countries could create additional opportunities for African products to enter the Chinese market.
Mr Bouchiba noted that Moroccan products, including processed agricultural goods and other locally produced commodities, could benefit from improved access to Chinese consumers.
He added that deeper industrial cooperation could also encourage Chinese companies to establish more production and supply-chain operations in Morocco.
Morocco has increasingly positioned itself as a manufacturing and logistics base connecting African, European and international markets.
The country has developed significant automotive, renewable-energy and industrial capacity, creating opportunities for partnerships with Chinese companies seeking to expand their operations in Africa.
The Casablanca expo also saw the establishment of a Chinese industry alliance aimed at expanding cooperation with Africa in renewable energy, including solar power, energy storage, electric vehicles and electrical equipment.
For African countries, such partnerships could support efforts to attract manufacturing investment, strengthen local supply chains and increase the value of products exported from the continent.
The expo was held shortly after China expanded zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.