Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad remained convinced of the enormous potential for South African business in the Mahgreb region of North Africa. He made these remarks while opening the South African/Moroccan Business Forum at the Casablanca Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Deputy Minister Pahad, who returned from his four day official visit to the Kingdom of Morocco today, was accompanied by a delegation of South African businesspeople, including a delegation of 20 members of the National African Chambers of Commerce (NAFCOC).
The purpose of the visit was to give content to the Bilateral Agreement on cooperation that was signed by the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs in Cape Town in May 1998.
Deputy Minister Pahad had extensive discussions with his counterpart, Ms Aicha Belarbi, which covered bilateral relations and issues concerning the African Continent, Middle East and various multilateral points.
Considerable emphasis was placed on finding ways to improve the growing two-way trade between the two countries.
Mr Pahad also held discussions with the Moroccan Prime Minister, Mr Abderrahmane El Youssoufi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Mohamed Benaissa, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Handicraft, Mr Alami Tazi, the Minister of Energy and Mining, Mr Youssef Tahiri, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Maritime Fishering, Mr Habib Malki and the Minister of Finance, Mr Fathallah Oualalou.
He also met with the Chairpersons of both chambers of Parliament. During discussions it was decided to formalise various bilateral agreements as soon as possible including the Avoidance of Double Taxation, Trade, Scientific and Cultural matters. A work programme to further develop bilateral relations during the coming year was also discussed and agreed upon. This will include the holding of the Second Bilateral Joint Commission in Morocco in early in 2000.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PRETORIA
15 APRIL 1999