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Rabat – British Ambassador to Morocco Simon Martin has emphasized that the UK and Morocco have complementary economies, presenting opportunities that have not yet been seized.
“They cover several sectors such as agriculture, renewable energies, manufacturing, and education,” Martin said.
Martin also lauded Morocco’s new development model, which offers an opportunity to “better exploit opportunities” that the two countries’ economies offer.
The ambassador made his remarks in an interview with L’Economist, where heemphasized his government’s determination to continue to further strengthen ties with Morocco.
“This will allow a new impetus to bilateral relations between the two countries which have just celebrated the 300th anniversary of the first diplomatic treaty signed between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United Kingdom in 1721,” he said.
The ambassador also commended the trade cooperation between UK and Morocco.
The total volume of trade in goods and services between Morocco and the UK reached £1.8 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2021. The number represents a 7.2% increase compared to the same period in 2020.
UK exports to Morocco reached £757 million for the same period.
For their part, the total UK imports from Morocco amounted to £1.1 billion, representing a 14.2% increase, according to the British ambassador.
In March, the UK embassy in Rabat highlighted that Moroccan foods are “increasingly present” on British plates.
About 60% of canned sardines eaten in the UK come from Morocco, while about 25% of tomatoes are from Morocco.
The UK imports 20% of its soft fruit needs from Morocco.
“In 2020, 32.8% of all UK imports from Morocco were fruits and vegetables,” the UK embassy said.
Martin called to further strengthen trade ties, recalling the commissioning of the shipping line linking the Moroccan port Tanger Med to the British port Polle.
The shipping line is not yet operational.
The UK and Morocco will also be connected through an undersea cable project that intends to bring Moroccan green energy to the British isles.
The UK-based clean energy Xlinks plans to build a record-length 3,800-kilometer cable connecting the two countries/
The cable aims to power over seven million households in Britain.
The project is estimated at MAD 218 billion or £17.4 billion The project aims to create 10,0000 employment opportunities in Morocco. About 2,000 of the jobs are intended to be permanent.
