Morocco is Champion of Solar Energy – We can Share Experiences with Pakistan : Ambassador

Pakistan seeks Support of Morocco at African Unity – We need Tangible Results in Whole Africa : Naeem Khan

ICCI to Lead a Delegation to Rabat – We are ready to Allocate a Corner for Display of Moroccan Products : Shakeel Munir

Tazeen Akhtar

H.E Mohamed Karmoune , Ambassador of Morocco has said that my country is champion of Solar Energy and Sun shines in Pakistan whole year. Further government of Pakistan is promoting solar energy to overcome the shortage of conventional energy in the country. Our doors are open for Pakistani business community and I invite them to tap the huge potential of bilateral trade.

Mr. Naeem Khan, Director General Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan shared that recently FM of Togo has visited Pakistan. More ministerial and high level visits are required. Pakistan and Morocco have great relations which must be further strengthened by engaging all stakeholders in a productive way. Both countries are also supporting each other on multi-lateral diplomacy.

He noted that our think tanks and business circles have to materialize what they see and idealize. Examine your Ideas in terms of reality, represent them and we are always ready to help mature the suggestions if they are worked upon and represented properly. He invited the think tanks to explore new avenues that will be the actual contribution in performance of our duties at the MOFA.

Mr. Shakeel Munir President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce, has offered a free stall to Embassy of Morocco for display of their products at the exhibition to be held on 9 Sep 2022 at Pak-China Center Islamabad. He invited the Ambassador to place the products at the ICCI chamber premises as well. All the dignitaries stated this in a forum on “Pakistan-Morocco Relations” held in collaboration of Center of Pakistan and International Relations (COPAIR) and International Journal Pakistan in the World. The forum is a series of events only to highlight the opportunities in Pakistan and provide a plate form where the representatives of Pakistan and World Community can share their views on the subject.

Chairperson COPAIR, Ms Amna Malik and Editor Tazeen Akhtar also shed light on the status of bilateral relations and on the prospects how to improve the level high and balanced between the two brotherly countries.

Pakistan’s Engage Africa Policy also came under discussion as much awaited step taken finally by increasing the number of Pakistani missions to 20. That speaks a lot about Pakistani desire to accurate and actualize the potential that was not explored in the past.

Ambassador said,” Both countries can work upon various sectors including joint ventures. Morocco is tourism destination that attracted more than 20 million tourists before COVID pandemic. Tourism is driver of economy. Pakistan has perfect landscapes for tourism. Pakistan has to upgrade the infrastructure only.”
Bilateral trade volume is in Morocco’s favor for last 5 years.

The Ambassador enlightened , ” In 2018, Morocco’s exports to Pakistan reached an all time high of USD 347.43 million while imports from Pakistan were valued at USD 35.82 million. In 2020 Moroccan exports lowered little at USD 318 million while Pakistani exports increased to USD 38.9 million. The untapped potential reveals that bilateral trade can go as high as USD 9 Billion for the top 25 products alone. Both nations need to work on diversifying their export portfolios.”Currently Pakistani exports to Morocco comprise of Denim,Cotton fabrics, Rice as major and sports equipment, Medical instruments, Packed medicament, Non-Knit active wear as well, whereas Phosphoric acid, Phosphates and Scrap metals were imported from Morocco during the same period.

Naeem Ullah Khan, DG Africa Desk, in his remarks, emphasized upon going towards tangible results rather just standing still at the rhetoric of “great potentials”. He suggested the business community to follow Digital Diplomacy and hold Single Country Exhibitions. Display the products Digitally. He said that Pakistan produces many items whose quality is better and prices are lesser than China. We need to prepare the list of products that we can export to Morocco and other countries of Africa.

“Pakistan and Morocco are partners in multi-lateral diplomacy from bilateral level to international fora like UNO and others. We seek support from Morocco at African Unity org as well. Pakistan has invited high level delegation from Morocco and a day will come when we can invite the King of Morocco . Both countries can exchange delegations of officials and business community to sit together and dwell on the prospects of joint ventures.” DG Naeem continued.

The Director General said, ” Both countries can work upon public and culture diplomacy as well. We have to see into immigration issue also. Chambers of Commerce should also focus on this problem that brings bad name for country.

Certainly, the gestures expressed by the officials and business leaders at the forum can bring fruitful results if followed on the same line and resolve. Pakistan can minimize its huge trade deficit of 300 million US Dollars by implementing the recommendations presented in the forum.