UK-Morocco Political & Economic Cooperation Gaining Momentum
Morocco and the United the Kingdom are strengthening their economic partnership, trade exchanges and political dialogue to counter common international challenges.
Total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and Morocco reached £3.1 billion in 2022, an increase of 49.8% or £1.0 billion recorded in 2021.
The two countries are determined today more than ever to give a strong impetus to their cooperation especially in energy, agriculture, industry, technology, fisheries, education, scientific research, defense…
Moroccan authorities have designed UK guest of honor of the 2023 international agricultural show (SIAM) organized in Meknes (May 2-7) with the participation of some thirty UK companies expected to seal deals with Moroccan farmers and agribusinesses.
The two countries have signed on this occasion a Memorandum of Understanding which aims to identify and tackle the main challenges facing the agricultural sector in Morocco. The MoU will help encourage technical cooperation and knowledge sharing between the UK and Moroccan agricultural sectors.
On the sidelines of the 15th international agricultural show (SIAM), Moroccan minister of agriculture and fisheries Mohamed Sadiki conferred with UK Minister of State for Biosecurity, Marine and Rural Affairs, Lord Richard Benyon.
They discussed cooperation prospects in the agricultural sector to mitigate the impacts of geopolitical and climate crises. They stressed the need to streamline UK import processing of Moroccan fruits and vegetables.
Total UK exports to Morocco amounted to £1.3 billion in 2022 (an increase of 46.3% compared to 2021. Morocco was the UK’s 59th largest trading partner in the four quarters to the end of Q4 2022 accounting for 0.2% of total UK trade.
At the political level, the two Kingdoms remain strong partners and Allies seeking mutual prosperity and security.
While a top UK delegation from the public and private sectors is looking for joint business opportunities at the Meknes international farming show, another delegation of Lords met on Tuesday in Rabat with Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita.
They praised the strong partnership between Rabat and London, affirming that the longstanding historical ties existing between the two countries are enhanced through consultation and dialogue on common political, security, and economic challenges.
The visiting delegation of UK lords includes Stuart Polak, James Arbuthnot, Alastair Colin, Leckie Campbell and Eric Pickles. After meeting Moroccan FM, members of the upper House of UK Parliament held talks with Speaker of House of Councilors (senators) Enaam Mayara on the exchange of experiences between the House of Lords and the Moroccan upper House of Parliament.
The UK delegation is expected to travel to Morocco’s southern provinces to see their socioeconomic progress, the huge untapped potential and the business opportunities offered in the region, gateway for investment in Africa.
