Gov’t Chief Discusses Moroccan-French Economic and Trade Cooperation with Bruno Le Maire

Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, held talks on Thursday in Rabat with French Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, Bruno Le Maire, who is on a working visit to the Kingdom. During the talks, attended by Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah, and Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget, Fouzi Lekjaa, the two parties underlined the specificity and singularity of relations between Morocco and France, as well as the determination of the leaders of the two countries, HM King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, and French president, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, to move forward in the multidimensional strategic partnership, said a statement by the Department of the Head of Government. Akhannouch, the same source added, praised the quality of relations between Morocco and France, and stressed the need to give a new boost to them, in line with the developments they are undergoing at all levels, within the framework of close cooperation. The talks also provided an opportunity to exchange views on the promising prospects for industrial cooperation between the two countries in buoyant sectors, notably green hydrogen, the same source noted, pointing out that the meeting was also an opportunity to pay tribute to the French Development Agency ‘s support for the reforms and development programs initiated by Morocco. The two sides also discussed economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, France being Morocco’s leading partner in terms of tourism revenues and foreign investment. Trade between the two countries stood at some 163.1 billion dirhams in 2023, up 33% on 2021, according to the statement. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the 15th Morocco-France High-Level Meeting to be held in our country, which represents an important mechanism for strengthening the bilateral partnership and breathing new life into it, the same source concluded.