A Good Example to other European countries to Fallow
Paris, May 21 - French State Secretary for Foreign Trade, Anne-Marie Idrac called on Morocco and France to join efforts if they want to face their Asian rivals. Asian products are now not only infesting Moroccan and French markets, but also invading third markets that used to revive their economies. The French official pleaded for boosting bilateral relations, and stepping up the number of exporting companies in both countries. Idrac, was speaking at a meeting held at the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the topic "A Moving Morocco is a Winning Morocco", and attended by Moroccan Minister of Foreign Trade, Abdelatif Maazouz, the Moroccan ambassador in Paris, and the head of the Moroccan employers union (CGEM). “We have the same concerns, namely stepping up the number of exporting companies with a view to increasing bilateral exchanges, but also to seeking, together, new third markets,” she said.
To do this, France is ready to help Morocco attain its goals, especially those of training. So, the French Development Agency (AFD) is ready to put as much as Euro 22Mn to fund eight training centers in Morocco, Idrac announced. The centers will specialize in audiovisual, aeronautics, construction, automobile, handicrafts… Bilateral relations are “exemplary,” she said, but she deemed that the two parties need to use new means and target new challenges to further buttress this partnership, and be able to conquer new markets. Voicing the same concern, Maazouz urged, after a meeting held later with his French peer, for anticipating the triggered evolution in international trade.
“We don’t want to be overtaken by this evolution even if we are not the only ones,” he said.
He added: “We considered the issue of anticipating this new dimension of the international economy, especially through sharing information, experiences and databases on international markets.” The French official had also hailed the “very important changes” brought about in different sectors in Morocco and the overall movement that they have stirred up in the north African country.
It is this very culture of movement that we want to breathe into the Union for the Mediterranean project, Idrac stressed, in reference to the project proposed by France’s president, Nicolas Sarkozy to create a regional grouping that would include countries from both sides of the Mediterranean.
Idrac said Morocco’s choices to open up its market are aimed for development that will benefit the entire population, citing the examples of economic progress, growth, and social support spearheaded in the north African kingdom. She voiced confidence these choices herald “an utterly positive future.”
