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Canada to establish strong trade partnership with Morocco
Ottawa - Canada voiced hope to set up a strong trade partnership with Morocco, said a press release of the Canadian Agriculture ministry.

Establishing a strong trade partnership and engaging in negotiations on a free trade agreement between Morocco and Canada were raised during the recent talks of visiting Canadian Agriculture Minister, Gerry Ritz, with Morocco's Agriculture Minister, Aziz Akhannouch and Foreign Trade Minister, Abdellatif Mâazouz.

"Morocco is engaged in a progressive liberalization process," Ritz said. "A mutually beneficial free trade agreement offers tremendous opportunities for the Moroccan and Canadian people," he added.

The strong and long-standing relationship between Canada and Morocco gives us a firm foundation to build on as we share technology, coordinate regulations in specific areas, and stimulate trade and investment," the Canadian minister added.

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) and the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) hailed the fostering of trade partnership and the talks on a bilateral free trade agreement.

“The possibility of trade talks is of great importance for our Canadian members of the West, since the CWB provides more than 90 % of wheat importations in the country, making it the largest durum exporter to Morocco," CFA Chairman, Laurent Pellerin said.

Trade between the two countries was worth 450 million dollars last year, while agricultural products accounted for $330 million, he said.

The CWB sales represent 75% of Canadian exports to Morocco, while during the last crop year CWB sold 622,000 of durum, according to CWB CEO, Ian White.