AFramework ofOpportunities
The Belt and Road Initiative heralds a new era of cooperation that will benefit all. Morocco embraces the initiative fully and is optimistic about it.
China and Morocco share a long history of friendly exchanges. The famous Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta set foot in China in the 14th century, expressing amazement at the grandeur of Chinese civilization. At the end of his extensive travels that lasted 29 years, Battuta narrated his adventures in a travel account, dedicating a whole chapter to his stay in China.
“Morocco has always played a key role in bridging the gap between China, Europe and Africa,” Jaafar Alj Hakim, Moroccan Ambassador to China, told ChinAfrica. “Many achievements of ancient Chinese civilization were introduced to Europe via Morocco.”
Today, bilateral ties are closer, especially in the economic sector. Last year, bilateral trade totaled $2.51 billion in the first nine months.
To illustrate the long-lasting friendship between China and Morocco, Hakim recently sat down with ChinAfrica reporter Ni Yanshuo, sharing his views on the bilateral relationship and its future development.
ChinAfrica: What role can Morocco play in the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative (Belt and Road Initiative) proposed by the Chinese Government?
Jaafar Alj Hakim: The Belt and Road Initiative is the ambitious vision of a wise head of state. It is aimed at fostering cooperation along the historical Silk Road and maritime routes. Given the scale of the initiative, with the maritime part spanning three continents, the potential outcome is promising. The Belt and Road Initiative heralds a new era of cooperation that will benefit all. Morocco embraces the initiative fully and is optimistic about it.
Morocco has strategic depth in West Africa, built on historical, cultural and religious relations. It can play a key role in linking [West African] countries to the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and open new opportunities in the fast-growing economies of West Africa.
The Belt and Road Initiative will bring countless opportunities to Moroccan economy, that’s for sure. Morocco and China are committed to a strategic partnership, and the initiative will definitely boost that framework, both economically and socially.
Since the launch of the Green Morocco Plan in 2008, Morocco’s agriculture has reportedly developed at around 7.7 percent. With China promoting cooperation with Africa in agricultural modernization, what can China and Morocco do to promote mutual agricultural development in the next three years?
In 2008, the Moroccan Government adopted a strategy to drive and reform the agricultural sector, promote the integration of agriculture into international markets and help agriculture achieve sustainable growth. The strategy was called the Green Morocco Plan. It comprises 1,500 projects requiring over $10 billion for their implementation by 2020. Morocco is an agriculture-based country, and as a founding member of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, pushes agricultural modernization up the list of priorities. As far as agricultural cooperation is concerned, a number of areas could be of interest such as irrigation, aquaculture, fertilizers, agricultural research and mechanization.
China and Morocco have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a Chinese cultural center in Morocco. How do you see the cultural exchanges between the two countries?
Cultural exchanges and cooperation between Morocco and China are increasing. At present, there are two Confucius Institutes in Morocco, and more youths are learning Chinese as they get a taste of Chinese culture and the Chinese way of life through geography courses in high school. More students are coming to China to study. Activities such as cultural weeks have been held [in China] to provide local people with a better picture of life in Morocco and showcase its art forms and rich cultural heritage.
Jaafar Alj Hakim, Moroccan Ambassador to China Ni Yanshuo
What makes Morocco an investment destination?
Morocco has become the region’s export hub, thanks to its unique location at the crossroads of the main trade routes linking Africa, the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Such an important geo-strategic position can be crucial for the incorporation of investments into the international trade flow. A combination of factors makes investment in Morocco an enjoyable and lucrative experience. Thanks to its qualified and competitive labor force and reduced tax rates, Morocco has become a competitive export platform. It has concluded a number of free trade agreements and is negotiating others with 55 countries, representing over1 billion consumers and 60 percent of world GDP. Moroccans are open to other cultures and communication is not an obstacle as Moroccan youths are learning foreign languages.
What are the measures to promote economic and cultural cooperation between Morocco and China?
The legal framework governing bilateral relations between Morocco and China consists of more than 130 agreements, covering all fields of cooperation. [In addition] we expect to launch a direct flight between Morocco and China, open a consular office outside Beijing and a visa office outside the chancery with more capacity to [process] increasing applications from Chinese tourists [seeking] to visit Morocco.
We expect to organize a second bilateral economic forum. The first one was held in November 2014. We also expect to conclude a currency swap agreement, conclude a partnership agreement between Casablanca [Morocco’s financial hub] and Shanghai [China’s finance capital], and launch twin city programs.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI is expected to visit China. What will be the main agenda of the visit?
A state visit had been scheduled in 2014 and then postponed. We are currently working on a royal visit to China. In the past, such [highlevel] visits took place on both sides. They [indicate] the excellent relations between our two countries and reinforce them. During the visit, a number of agreements are expected to be signed within the framework of strategic partnership. CA