I am writing this column from Morocco, where I have arrived along with 15-members delegation of Pakistani businessmen. As Hon. Consul General of Morocco and Chairman of Pakistan-Morocco Business Council, it is part of my responsibilities to promote trade and investment between Pakistan and Morocco. My recent visit is in the connection, organized in collaboration with Made in Pakistan Corporate Forum. The delegation of Pakistani businessmen visiting Morocco under my leadership is to provide Pakistani businessmen with opportunities to export Pakistani products to Morocco and to create a business platform.
Morocco is considered the gateway to Africa and a regional trade hub, with a population of 39 million. It is located just 13 kilometers from Spain in Europe. From trade perspective, Morocco enjoys free trade agreements with United States, European Union, Turkey, and 60 African countries. Twenty years ago, when I assumed the responsibilities of Morocco’s Hon. Consul General, promoting trade and investment between Morocco and Pakistan was among my priority. I bring business delegations to Morocco almost every year, and these visits have yielded substantial results and bilateral trade has reached 800 million dollars having potential for further growth. Morocco’s economy is rapidly progressing. For Pakistani traders, Morocco represents a market through which they can access European, American, and Africa’s 1.6 billion population markets. Morocco is also emerging as tourists destination, more than 20 million tourists visited the country last year. The importance of Morocco is further highlighted by the fact that the next FIFA World Cup in 2030 will be held there.
During this recent visit, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Morocco, H.E. Adil Gilani, hosted the Pakistani business delegation at the Pakistani Embassy, providing them with a briefing on bilateral trade and investment. The delegation also visited Casablanca Chambers of Commerce and Industry and met president Mr. Hassan Berkani who is also the member of Moroccan Parliament. The delegation also visited Rabat Chamber of Commerce and met with president, Mr. Sami Rachid, and other officials, discussing ways to promote exports between the two countries. The Islamic Center for the Development of Trade (ICDT), a subsidiary body of OIC, aims to promote trade and exports among Islamic countries, its headquarter is located in Casablanca. The businessmen delegation also visited the ICDT and met Latifa El Bouabdellaoui Director General ICDT, and senior officials to learn about the potential for trade and export between Pakistan and other Islamic countries. Latifa El Bouabdellaoui assured Pakistani businessmen of full support in promoting exports from Pakistan to Islamic countries.
As mentioned in my earlier column, Pakistan heavily relies Europe and United States export markets which are declining due to inflation and market saturation, making further increases in exports to these markets difficult. Pakistan’s export growth is only possible if new markets are explored and Africa, with its population of 1.6 billion, is a potential region that has unfortunately been neglected. This recent visit to Morocco not only opens a new trade routes for Pakistani traders but also represents an important step in further strengthening trade relations between the two countries, which will yield encouraging results.
As Marka-e-Haq is being celebrated in Pakistan, a prestigious ceremony was held at the Pakistani Embassy in Rabat. I was specially invited by Ambassador of Pakistan to Morocco. The event was attended by Pakistani community, whose faces were reflected with joy. During the ceremony, Ambassador H.E. Adil Gilani, Head of Mission Abdul Razzaque Thebo, and Defense Attaché Col. Shahnawaz highlighted the significance of Marka-e-Haq and Pakistan’s remarkable victory over India, which elevated Pakistan’s prestige in Morocco and worldwide. The message of President Asif Zardari, Prime Minster Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asif Munir was also red at the occasion.
As I left the Embassy of Pakistan, where the Pakistani flag was flying high, I felt immense pride in belonging to a country that delivered a decisive victory over its adversary, India, during Marka-e-Haq. Pakistan also played role of mediator between United States and Iran, presenting a new global identity for the country. For these achievements, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir deserve appreciation.
