Bilateral cooperation at the heart of the visit to Morocco by Ms Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch, Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs.

Swiss-Moroccan economic relations were in the spotlight last May. Indeed, the visit of Ms Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch, Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs, illustrated the very good health of bilateral relations. On 9 May, Ms Ineichen-Fleisch first met Mr Mohcine Jazouli, Minister Delegate in charge of Investment, Convergence and the Evaluation of Public Policies. The discussion focused on strengthening economic relations between Morocco and Switzerland. The State Secretary was able to discover the various investment opportunities in the pharmaceutical, chemical, agri-food, electronics and financial sectors. During this first day, the State Secretary also learned about the progress made by Tanger Med, the industrial and port complex. This meeting with Tanger Med officials in Rabat illustrated how Morocco, through its range of services and its targeted investments, presents itself as a gateway to the African market for international companies.

New prospects

During this visit, a dinner was held in honour of the State Secretary. Several Swiss member companies of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Morocco took part. The various business opportunities and bilateral relations were at the centre of the conversations. On this occasion, a partnership agreement between the CCSM and Switzerland Global Enterprise (SGE) was signed. This agreement makes the CCSM the local representation for the promotion of Swiss and Liechtenstein exports in Morocco.

The State Secretary also held lengthy discussions with Mr Ryad Mezzour, Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade. Mr Mezzour highlighted Morocco’s advantages for Swiss companies, notably the excellent productivity and qualifications of its human resources, its competitive cost structure and its geographical proximity to Europe. Areas of cooperation for the development and growth of bilateral trade were at the heart of their discussions. The sectors of agriculture, biotechnology, finance, construction and public works, automotive, aeronautics, research and innovation, and artificial intelligence are experiencing great effervescence and unprecedented momentum. The various Foreign Direct Investments that Morocco continues to attract are the best proof of this and demonstrate once again that the Kingdom is consolidating its global position in several sectors.

Ms Ineichen-Fleisch also met the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) to discuss trade links and investment opportunities between the two countries.

Heading for Marrakech

The State Secretary’s visit continued in Marrakech, where she took part in the annual general meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

In the ochre city, the State Secretary also honoured with her presence a double Swiss inauguration: that of the new premises of the Honorary Consulate and of the CCSM’s representation in Marrakech. Mr Max Rosari and Mr Yassin Halhoul are now Honorary Consul and Regional Representative of the CCSM respectively. A double event that testifies to the strengthening of the Swiss consular and economic presence in the Marrakech-Safi region.

The State Secretary’s official visit concluded with a discussion with Mr Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, as a follow-up to the Joint Declaration signed in Bern last December.