Pan-African Parliament: Morocco contributes to building African Continental Free Trade Area

Morocco has contributed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through numerous socioeconomic integrated projects launched in several African countries to improve their infrastructures, industry, university & vocational training, health system, and strengthen their food & energy sovereignty.

The remarks were made Monday in Johannesburg by Speaker of the Moroccan Parliament’s Upper House Enaam Mayara during the opening ceremony of the ordinary session of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) convening in South Africa until June 2.

The AfCFTA is expected to create job opportunities for a large number of young African people, lift 30 million Africans from extreme poverty and improve the income of 68 million people, while increasing the Continent’s wealth by $450 billion, added Mayara who is leading the Moroccan delegation to the PAP gathering.

This landmark project, which is at the top of Morocco’s priorities, will change the Continent’s development model, boost it production capacity and create more opportunities for all, said Speaker of the House of Councilors (Senators).

Morocco shares with African countries its successful experiences in economy, development, finance and banking, added Mayara, affirming that this has enabled the Kingdom to increase its annual African trade exchanges by 9.5 % besides strengthening its investment across the continent, becoming the first African investor.

AfCFTA reflects Africans’ desire to build a strong, integrated Africa, said Mayara, recalling Morocco’s South-South solidarity-based cooperation and its noteworthy contributions to ensure food security in the continent.

Besides the African FTA zone, African MPs gathering in South Africa will discuss several issues related to peace & security in the continent, access to information, digital rights & internet governance, climate change, rights of migrant workers, traditional medicine in African health systems, gender parity…