H.E. Mr. Larbi Reffouh, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco in India

H.E. Mr. Larbi Reffouh, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco in India
H.E. Mr. Larbi Reffouh

Face to face interview with H.E. Mr. Larbi Reffouh, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco in India on the occasion of the 13th Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco who succeeded his father Late Hassan II in 1999.

ANA: India relations with Morocco go back more than 600 years. As students, we read about Ibn Batuta’s travels and his writings on medieval Indian society. Excellency, give us your personal assessment of the state of present bilateral relations. Do they have enough depth?

H.E.: Yes Morocco’s relations with India date back to the 14th century when Ibn Batuta travelled to India. His writings an medieval Indian society are as much important source of historical information about India to the Indians as to the Moroccans. India and Morocco have enjoyed cordial and friendly relations and over the years the bilateral relations have witnessed significant depth and growth.

ANA: Excellency, could you identify some of the important bilateral and international issues of mutual interest that have been discussed recently between the two governments?

H.E.: At the bilateral level, both governments have stressed once again their commitment to give a new impetus to our bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic field. As a reflection this will, several Moroccan ministers and senior officials have recently paid official visits to India, including that our Minister of Foreign affairs and Cooperation, to meet their Indian counterparts and discuss in-depth issues of mutual interest.

As far as multilateral issues are concerned, I would like to emphasize here that there is a continuous consultation and coordination between our two governments within the United Nations Security Council on a gamut of international issues, particularly since both India and Morocco are currently non-permanent members of this highest decision-making body of the United Nations.

ANA: Bilateral trade has been growing in the past 10 years and reached US $1.19 billion in 2008-09 and is presently around US$1.5 billion. Excellency, is this on adequate level of bilateral trade? And in which areas, other than chemicals and fertilizers, is there potential for further growth?

H.E.: Trade exchanges between India and Morocco have tripled between 2005 and 2010, and stands presently at US$1.6 billion. This achievement represents in itself a qualitative leap in the bilateral economic relations and a reflection of our consolidated cooperation. It is also the result of fruitful win-win cooperation and a better example of South-South cooperation.

Indeed, we are certainly delighted with the current level of partnership between our two countries in the fertilizers sector, which is the outcome of a successful policy of setting up joint ventures either in Morocco or in India. Meanwhile, we believe that there is a vast untapped potential in various sectors, such as textile which is one sector where we can complement each other and jointly target markets in Europe and the US that have a steady demand for Moroccan goods. Another sector that has great potential for cooperation is IT. Joint ventures here, both software and hardware, can open the door to growing markets in Africa.

Along with trade, we can enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges between both our countries. The two countries have very rich cultures. Our histories stretch back millennia. India is very strong in IT and perhaps we can leverage this to share our cultural heritage like writing, literature, etc.

Therefore, given the great potential of the two countries, their strategic geographical locations as well as the strong political will on both sides which has always pushed for bilateral cooperation, I believe that maritime routes linking the Tangiers Part in the North of Morocco and the different parts in India will undoubtedly play a substantial role in promoting commercial relations.

ANA: Excellency, there is great interest among Indian companies to invest in your country. There are already many JV’s functioning. Could you describe the incentives available for Indian companies wishing to set up business in Morocco?

H.E. : Foreign investors, including Indians, are given the same rights and advantages as local investors and allowed to invest in virtually all sectors of the economy. In fact, they are provided with many incentives in terms of specific financial advantages, tax and customs duties exemptions as well as the State’s contribution in the acquisition of land.

Needless to say, Morocco is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for foreign investors. It is the country in North Africa which has received the biggest direct foreign investment over the 2000-2009 period (18 billion dollars). Its strategic location enabled it to place itself at the crossroads of the main international trade routes and to stand as a regional hub, allowing direct access for a market of 1.3 billion consumers. Morocco also obtained an advanced status with the European Union and signed many Free Trade Agreements with the US, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia. Other FTA’s are currently under negotiation with Canada and several West African countries.

Besides, it possesses world class facilities that interlink in the best and most efficient way all the regions of the country, including the start of work and a 1500 km high-speed rail line. We have also the new Port of Tangier Med, which is a symbol of Morocco’s ambition to dominate at the crossroad of major intercontinental maritime exchanges. And we do also have 20 international airports, which are served by a large number of international companies and are connected to more than 75 international destinations.

While so many investments opportunities are offered in different sectors of the economy, Morocco has recently initiated several sectorial strategies and plans aiming at improving the country’s economic competitiveness and to increase and diversify its sources of income. The Emergence Plan, for instance, covers industries, such as automotive industry, off-shoring, electronics, textile and leather, agro-business. There is also the Green Morocco Plan to modernize agriculture, Renewable Energy Plan, Tourism’s Vision 2020 to attract 20 million tourists. On the qualified human resources and a higher education of international standard and conducts a very dynamic professional training policy adapted companies need.

ANA: Africa has been a region where both India and China are aggressively seeking to expand their footprint. Excellency has there been a need by your country to balance any conflicting interests of the two countries?

H.E.: Morocco enjoys good relations with both India and China. India is Morocco’s third trading client in the world and the first in the Asian region. Morocco and India have for a long time enjoyed the best of relations and our friendship has proved to be strong. Concerning our coordinated effort in Africa, we are very open to establish a trilateral cooperation among Morocco, India and African countries, whereby you provide capital and we provide technical experience and expertise, so as to assist them in key sectors that are crucial for their overall development.

ANA: Finally, Excellency would you like to convey a message to our readers, particularly the government, on the vision that you have on the future course of the relations between India and Morocco?

H.E.: I sincerely hope that the bilateral relations between both our countries will be further strengthened as both countries with our rich civilizations and traditions have much to gain and offer in a plethora of areas, and I invite Indian businessmen to seize the investment opportunities offered in many sectors and those interested in a fascinating and memorable holiday experience to visit Morocco.