British Chamber of Commerce praises industrial relations with Morocco
Morocco and the United Kingdom are going through one of the best moments in terms of bilateral relations between the two countries. This was recognised by the British Chamber of Commerce, which praised industrial cooperation in particular. It did so during a webinar held under the name "Morocco and the UK: an evolving partnership". The chamber's president, Stephen Orr, stressed the possibility of expanding the areas of partnership between the two countries, particularly in agriculture, textiles and pharmaceuticals.
Aerospace is another of the sectors that Orr highlighted during his speech, which presents a great opportunity to deepen a booming field. In addition, Morocco wants to continue leading the R&D&I sector in its region, something that would be greatly boosted if this trend, which is so fruitful for both the British and Moroccans, continues. All of this, together with the trade that is already bringing great benefits to their partnership, such as electronics and household appliances.
One of the UK and Morocco's priorities is to improve maritime links between the two countries. Progress in this area would be a key step forward in what, according to the president of the British Chamber of Commerce, would avoid difficulties with paperwork at the borders. As such, he believes that many "successes will be achieved as these relations continue to develop".
One of the projects in which the British are most hopeful is the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline. The British Consul General in Casablanca, Tom Hill, said that the pipeline could bring added value to trade between the two countries.
They also showed their support for Morocco's preparatory campaign to host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal. An act praised by the head of trade policy of the Moroccan Department of Business and Trade, Sofia Akhtar, who also referred to the increase in exports between the two countries. Among all of them, she emphasised agriculture, which she considers a "real opportunity" to boost trade between the two countries.
The event that showed the great harmony between Morocco and the UK came a day after a meeting between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Lord Tariq Ahmad, UK Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and the United Nations at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Already at that time, both representatives made it clear that relations between Rabat and London are 'better than ever'.
Indeed, the data further support this profitable alliance. The volume of trade between Morocco and the UK will reach £2.9 billion by 2022, which the participants in the seminar described as "incredible" growth. It should be noted that since the end of the third quarter of 2021 alone, the increase has been 53%, a figure that, moreover, both countries want to continue to grow in the coming years.
