Trade: UK Strengthens Ties with Morocco, ‘An Increasingly Important Partner’ (British Foreign Office)
London - The British Foreign Office (FCDO) underlined on Monday the UK's determination to further strengthen economic ties with Morocco, "an increasingly important trade and investment partner."
The visit to Rabat by Foreign Secretary David Lammy provided an opportunity to conclude a series of ambitious agreements aimed at deepening economic cooperation between the two countries, with bilateral trade already exceeding £4 billion per year, the FCDO said in a statement.
Lammy, who was quoted in the statement, said the purpose of the visit to Rabat was to promote new trade relations between the UK and Morocco, adding that growth and prosperity will underpin London’s relations with Rabat.
For his part, Minister of State for Trade, Douglas Alexander, stressed that Morocco is “an increasingly important trade and investment partner for the UK.”
Recalling that economic growth remains the British government’s priority, Alexander said that strengthening relations with countries such as Morocco will pave the way for new opportunities, supporting British businesses and creating jobs.
This momentum has resulted in the announcement of a series of bilateral agreements aimed at strengthening collaboration in several strategic sectors, including water, port infrastructure, smart logistics, and green technologies.
As an example, the FCDO mentioned a cooperation agreement on water and port infrastructure, worth up to £200m, to promote British expertise in sustainable water management and modern port infrastructure development.
Sport is also a key area of cooperation, particularly in the context of preparations for the 2030 World Cup. In this regard, the UK intends to contribute to the development of sustainable sports infrastructure in Morocco.
In addition, the FCDO reported “closer cooperation” between the UK and Morocco on migration and counter-terrorism issues, as well as a shared commitment to addressing water scarcity and climate change, with a view to strengthening security and promoting shared green growth.
The visit by the British foreign minister is part of the government’s program to revitalize relations with African countries, based on a realistic and progressive approach.
The aim is to establish genuine partnerships based on mutual respect in key areas such as trade, investment, security, and tackling the root causes of illegal immigration, the ministry said.
