China, Morocco discuss travel ties, investments to African country

By Zhang Yiqian Source:Global Times Published: 2014-11-30 23:58:02

Chinese citizens will have an easier time traveling to Morocco in the near future, Salaheddine Mezouar, the foreign affairs minister of Morocco, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Friday.

His comments came during the Morocco-China Economic Forum on Friday, which included more than 120 company CEOs from both countries. The forum saw 27 agreements signed between companies from both sides.

Discussions at the forum included easing visa applications and strengthening infrastructure. Morocco's Tourism Minister Lahcen Haddad told the Global Times that both countries are working on ironing out a few issues and look forward to more relaxed measures in 2015.

On average, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Morocco every year stands at only about 7,800, Mezouar said. "It is still way below our expectations due to some constraints, the absence of direct flights between our two countries and of individual visitors considering all tourists from China pass through authorized travel agencies to visit Morocco," he added.

Haddad said the two countries are exploring the possibility of granting individual visas to Chinese tourists, as well as providing electronic visa applications instead of having to apply in person at the Beijing embassy. Other plans include a 13-hour direct flight between China and Morocco and travel packages to Morocco and some European countries, such as France or Belgium.

There's no definite timetable on these plans, but the Moroccan government hopes to work them out in 2015, Haddad said.

Mezouar has called for Chinese investment as well. He mentioned developing the Maritime Silk Road, a plan raised during the China-Arab Cooperation Forum held in Beijing in June 2014, saying Morocco is an important player.

"Besides its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, the Maghreb Region and Arab World, Morocco has much to offer. This includes its human capital and modern infrastructure such as highways, the Tangier Med Port, industrial and logistics zones, as well as the know-how acquired in several sectors from several countries," he said.

Sun Shuzhong, the Chinese ambassador to Morocco, told the Southern Metropolis Daily that Morocco's location is a huge asset. Also, compared with other African countries, the country offers more mature aviation, mechanics, textile and automotive industries.


The Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Salaheddine Mezouar, talked with the Global Times on Friday at the Morocco-China Economic Forum.

1. What will the upcoming State visit of His Majesty bring for the relationship between China and Morocco?

His Majesty's upcoming visit will certainly mark a historical turning point in the relations between China and Morocco and will give new impetus to the existing ties between the two countries, founded on mutual trust and solidarity. We do believe that our bilateral cooperation has gained enough maturity that prequalifies it to reach new heights.

The aim of the upcoming Royal Visit is to translate our common resolve to bring our bilateral relations to a higher level and to establish a strategic partnership embracing new sectors of vital interest for both countries.

2. As to the Chinese President's concept of developing the Maritime Silk Road, how do you think Morocco and China will benefit from it? Also, how do we renew this concept to better improve the relationship between these two countries?

This ambitious project was raised during the China-Arab Cooperation Forum held in Beijing in June 2014 and Morocco expressed its will to adhere to China's vision to establish the Maritime Silk Road, which will undoubtedly contribute to building strong ties and ensure economic development for all countries concerned.

Morocco believes in the strategic value of this project. As an important player in the Mediterranean region, Morocco is convinced that the enhanced connectivity to be generated by this project will be of a great benefit to international trade. Besides its geostrategic location at the crossroad of Europe, Africa, the Maghreb Region and the Arab World, Morocco has many assets to offer, namely its human capital and its modern infrastructure such as highways, the Tangier Med Port, industrial and logistic zones as well as its significant experience acquired in several sectors in many countries, especially in western Africa in telecoms, banking and finance, insurance and construction. These are major assets prequalifying Morocco to play a key role in the Silk Road Project.

3. Many people see Morocco as an "overlooked market," and many Chinese companies don't necessarily know of the opportunities Morocco offers. Is there anything the government is doing to encourage cooperation?

This is partially true given the fact that Chinese direct investments in Morocco are still way below our aspirations (almost 170 million USD up till 2013). However, we do note today with satisfaction that Chinese companies are becoming more aware of the opportunities that Morocco offers. We can mention, in this respect, the example of the project pertaining to the construction of a steel transformation plant in the Tangier Free Zone by the Chinese group "Shandong Shangang Group" with a total investment of 150 million USD.

Our initiative to organize a Morocco-China Economic Forum with the participation of more than 120 CEOs, in close collaboration with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce is a part of our efforts to showcase the huge opportunities Morocco offers in a variety of sectors. The forum serves also as a platform for networking opportunities between Moroccan businessmen and their Chinese counterparts.

The signing of tens of agreements during this forum confirms the fact that our economic relations are gaining more momentum and that our partnership is getting stronger and open to new promising horizons.

4. I learned that there is a port in Morocco, where many Chinese companies transfer cargo before going to European countries to trade. Can you talk about its development?

First, Tangier Med is a part of a major strategic plan undertaken by Morocco to further enhance its connection to the rest of the world and increase its trade exchanges.

Tangier Med was established in 2007 and is located on the 2nd busiest shipping lane in the world, linking Asia to Europe and North America. This port is so far connected to 120 ports in 50 countries. It has a total capacity of 3 million containers with many railway connections and is expected to cater for 8 million containers in the near future. So, this port has the potential to boost the competitiveness of Chinese firms willing to invest in Morocco, mainly in the Tangier Med integrated industrial and logistic zones.

5. Yu Zhengsheng, the chairman of the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, visited Morocco at the beginning of November and called for the two countries to cooperate in maintaining regional peace and stability, as well as fighting terrorism. Is there anything specific Morocco will follow up on?

Morocco is totally committed to fighting terrorism in all its forms and shapes in concert with many countries.

Morocco reiterates its "firm and constant position against terrorism" and constantly calls for the need to intensify the efforts of the international community to fight against this despicable scourge, which represents a global threat and hinders development and stability in the world.

Morocco is willing to further coordinate its efforts with China at the level of international institutions. Being a moderate country, Morocco has set up a new strategy to fight against terrorism which consists of a multidimensional approach not limited to security but does include the socio-economic development as well as the reform of the religious field through raising awareness, education and training. As a matter of fact, this approach has been a source of inspiration to many countries some of them seek Morocco's assistance in training their preachers in Moroccan religious institutions.

6. After the APEC, many countries relaxed visa laws for Chinese citizens. What's the situation with Morocco right now and will there be any changes? Do you think the potential of tourism in Morocco can be fulfilled further?

It is to be underlined that during the upcoming Royal Visit, one of the agreements to be signed pertains to visa facilitation, which is meant to ease procedures for granting visas to businessmen, investors and tourists from both sides. This will undoubtedly increase the flow of tourists from both countries. So far, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Morocco barely reaches 7,800 and is still way below our aspirations due to some impediments, the absence of direct flights between our two countries and the absence of individual tourism given the fact that all tourists from China must go through authorized travel agencies to visit Morocco.

With the signature of an agreement of visa facilitation together with a tourism implementation program for the period ranging from 2014 to 2017, setting up measures to stimulate the flow of tourists, and with the upcoming establishment of a direct flight connection between Morocco and China, to enter into force in 2015, we are quite optimist and confident that the number of tourists between the two countries will increase in a substantial way.

7. Has Morocco been affected at all by the Arab Spring? As King Mohammed VI encourages reform in the country, how do the royal family and the Parliament balance power?

Thanks to His Majesty's wise vision, Morocco has witnessed an unprecedented process of structural reforms in the political, social and economic arenas.

These reforms pertain to family law, with its revolutionary and emancipative dimensions (including the improvement of women's status and their empowerment), to the launching of the National Initiative for Human Development, and the reform of the judicial system. The scope of these different reforms attained its culminating point in 2011 with the reform of the Moroccan Constitution, which is based on the fundamental principles of the separation, cooperation and balance between powers.




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