Rabat – The Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water, and Forests, Aziz Akhannouch, held talks with the Chinese Vice-Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhang Taolin, about the means to develop bilateral cooperation between Morocco and China in the fields of agriculture and fisheries.
The two ministers met in Rabat on Wednesday, January 15.
Both the Chinese official and the Moroccan minister welcomed the good relations of cooperation between the two countries, as well as their collaboration in the sector of agriculture and fisheries.
The discussions were an opportunity to explore ways to develop agricultural cooperation and exchange expertise, Taolin told the press following the talks.
Morocco’s food exports to China include mainly olive oil, frozen strawberries, and thyme, while the main imported Chinese products are vegetable and fruit seeds, and algae.
China is Morocco’s third-biggest trade partner, after Spain and France.
In 2018, the value of Moroccan imports from China reached $5.04 billion. Electronics represent more than one-fifth of the total imports.
Meanwhile, Moroccan exports to China reached $270 million in 2018 and are in constant growth. Phosphates represent the majority of Morocco’s exports to the East-Asian country.
Since King Mohammed VI’s official visit to China in May 2016, the two countries have signed several cooperation agreements, facilitating Chinese investments in Morocco.
Morocco is one of the most important economic partners of China in Africa. It was the first country in North Africa to sign the Belt and Road Initiative memorandum, a development strategy consisting of partnerships between China and 152 countries.
Human and cultural exchange between the two countries has also increased exponentially, with 350,000 Chinese tourists visiting Morocco in 2019, more than five times the number of Chinese tourists in 2016.
This year, Morocco and China are celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two states. Morocco was the second African country to establish diplomatic ties with China since the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949.
In commemoration of the anniversary, both countries will organize special events in their capitals.
