Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
At the invitation of the Moroccan Secretary of State for Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Aicha Belarbi, Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad will pay an official visit to the Kingdom of Morocco during the period 9 - 15 April 1999.
The invitation follows from the first Joint Bilateral Commission Meeting between the two countries, which was held in Cape Town during May 1998.
Deputy Minister Pahad will be accompanied by senior Government officials, representatives from parastatal institutions as well as from private companies, most of whom have been dealing with Morocco in the past. The delegation will also include 20 members of NAFCOC, representing all nine provinces. The NAFCOC Group will be led by Mr Steve Skhosana, President of NAFCOC. All their members represent the Agricultural Sector and the visit will also serve as a study tour, as Morocco has a very important agricultural sector.
Morocco is steadily becoming one of South Africa's stronger trading partners in the North African region, with exports alone increasing by approximately 400% in 1998.
Apart from meeting and discussion bilateral issues with his Moroccan counterpart, it is also expected that Deputy Minister Pahad will meet with senior Ministers in the Moroccan Government, inter alia the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Trade & Industry and Agriculture to further consolidate existing relations. Deputy Minister Pahad will also sign the "Memorandum of Understanding regarding Phytosanitary Matters" on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, which should assist the export of Agricultural products. The Deputy Minister will also meet the Presidents of the Casablanca and Marrakesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PRETORIA
08 APRIL 1999