New Delhi, August 24: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasad, stated on Monday that India and Morocco are collaborating to expand bilateral trade into new areas, enhance market access, and develop new investment and industrial cooperation opportunities.
Minister Prasad is on an official visit to Morocco from August 24 to 25. He will co-chair the 7th session of the India-Morocco Joint Commission alongside Omar Hejira, the Secretary of State for Foreign Trade in Morocco’s Ministry of Industry and Trade. This meeting will review the current economic and commercial cooperation between the two nations and identify new areas for future collaboration.
The discussions are expected to cover several critical sectors, including trade and market access, fertilizer production and supply, investment, industrial cooperation, customs, agriculture and food security, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, energy and mining, renewable energy, digital transformation, transportation and logistics, AYUSH, tourism, education, and skill development.
During the visit, a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on food security between India and Morocco is likely to be signed. This agreement will be between Morocco’s National Food Security Office (ONSSA) and India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI).
Under this agreement, cooperation will be enhanced in areas related to the quality and safety of imported food products, food testing laboratories, analytical methods, import procedures, quality control, sampling, packaging, and labeling. Additionally, there will be an exchange of technical knowledge and expertise between the two countries.
The Joint Commission meeting is also expected to see the signing of a cultural exchange program for 2026-2030 between India and Morocco. This program aims to promote the exchange of artists, cultural experts, and professionals.
Furthermore, collaboration between museums, libraries, and archival institutions of both countries will be encouraged, along with heritage preservation and participation in international cultural events.
India and Morocco have maintained friendly relations for a long time, and the potential for trade cooperation continues to grow. In 2025, bilateral merchandise trade between the two nations reached nearly $4 billion.
India primarily exports refined petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, vehicles, synthetic textiles, food products, and spices to Morocco. Conversely, Morocco supplies India with phosphates and fertilizers, which are crucial for the Indian agricultural sector.
During his visit to Morocco, Jitin Prasad will hold bilateral meetings with several senior Moroccan leaders. He will also participate in the India-Morocco Joint Business Forum and meet industry representatives in the capital, Rabat.
These meetings aim to explore opportunities for trade, investment, joint ventures, and new business partnerships. Both countries are working to elevate economic cooperation by leveraging strategic trade routes connecting Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Leave a Comment