The General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) conducted a working visit to London (July 11-13) aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties between Morocco and the UK, during which the Confederation held several meetings with different British officials.
The delegation, led by CGEM President, Chakib Alj, held talks with members of the “All-Party Parliamentary Group (AAPG) for Morocco,” chaired by Heather Wheeler, in the presence of the British Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, Nigel Huddleston, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Nigel Evans, and several other British parliamentarians.
The General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) reported in a communiqué that during this meeting, the two parties praised the excellent relations binding Morocco and the UK, particularly in terms of trade, which reached a total of £3 billion in 2022, which represents a 49.8% increase compared to 2021, the year of adoption of the Morocco-UK Association Agreement.
In this regard, the Confederation noted that this agreement has proved its worth as a powerful catalyst for trade and a creator of added value and jobs.
Discussions also focused on Morocco’s remarkable achievements in establishing itself as a regional economic force, a growth hub for international economic operators, a gateway to Africa, and a prime tourist destination.
The Confederation’s delegation, which included the Confederation’s Vice-President and President of CGEM’s International Commission, Ghita Lahlou, Senior Coordinator of Relations with European Institutions, Abir Lemseffer, Deputy General Manager, Samia Terhzaz, and Head of Communications and Public Relations, Marwa Tellal, also held talks with the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Foreign Affairs, Lisa Cameron.
In the presence of Morocco’s Ambassador to the UK, Hakim Hajoui, the delegation held a meeting with the British Minister of State of Food, Farming, and Fisheries, Mark Spencer, who highlighted Morocco’s potential to provide food for Africa and Europe, particularly in light of the challenges imposed by the current international geopolitical situation.
This meeting focused on the use of new technologies in agriculture and water management, and on the issue of sustainability, in addition to several opportunities to boost bilateral trade, in a spirit of complementarity, particularly in terms of agricultural and dairy products.
The delegation also held talks with the Director of Export & Investment at the UK Department of Business and Trade, Rupert Daniels, on ways to promote win-win investment in several sectors such as financial services, textiles, agri-food, tech, education, and the creative industries.
“Investment and job creation are indeed the most efficient response to the challenges posed by migration,” noted CGEM’s communiqué, adding that the two parties will jointly work to support the growth of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and the Moroccan startup ecosystem.
To conclude its working visit, the delegation held talks with British entrepreneurs seeking to launch major investments in the Moroccan Southern provinces.