Russian-Moroccan business forum

Russian-Moroccan business forum

Within the visit of the King of Morocco Mohammed VI in Moscow in «Ritz Carlton» hotel on March 14 The Russian-Moroccan business forum was held in the format of a round table with the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, Rosturizm, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia, the Russian-Arabian and Russian-Moroccan business councils. On the Russian side, representatives of companies expressing interest in the implementation of projects in Morocco, including CJSC "Biocad", OJSC "Siberian Coal Energy Company", "Uralvagonzavod" GC, OJSC "Inter RAO", CJSC "Global Marine Design" (regasification terminals), "Bank VTB". Representatives of the business presented their companies.

During the event, the Moroccans showed interest in expanding cooperation in almost all areas. In addition to the traditional spheres of interaction (purchase of oil, coal, sulfur and wheat in Russia and the supply of vegetables and fruits to the Russian market), the Moroccans identified as priority exploration for polymetals, as well as oil and gas, oil refining and housing construction. The Moroccan side considers tourism to be a particularly significant sphere of cooperation - tourism, tens of thousands of Russian tourists annually travel to Morocco, where in recent years excellent conditions for recreation have been created.

The Moroccans paid special attention to the interest in financing Russia's investment projects and proposed the creation of an interbank investment platform. Also, Moroccan bankers suggested considering the possibility of using national currencies in trading transactions.

A number of agreements and memorandums were signed at the forum's fields, including «BIOCAD» CJSC - an agreement on the transfer of know-how and technical support for the production of anti-cancer drugs in Morocco, JSC «Siberian Coal Energy Company» - a framework agreement for the supply of 720 thousand tons of coal in 2016.

The event demonstrates that the Moroccans are continuing to turn Morocco into a regional industrial and technological center in North Africa and are counting on Russia's assistance in implementing their plans. It opens ample opportunities for an entry of the Russian business into the perspective North African market. Moreover, representatives of the Moroccan companies repeated more than once that Morocco can become for Russia "gate to Africa" as northern, and to the south of the Sahara.

In order to increase mutual trade, businessmen suggested considering the possibility of concluding an agreement on the establishment of a free trade zone between the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Kingdom of Morocco. Similar agreements Morocco already has with the EU, most Arab countries, Turkey and the United States.

At the end of the meeting, the delegates welcomed the vector on which our bilateral relations are developing, and also called for continued cooperation in all spheres.