How would you define the Japan – Morocco partnership?
Morocco is economically committed to a free trade, capitalist economy and sharing common values such as democracy and the rule of law while politically advocating non-aligned neutrality. And there is not so many in Africa, thus, this country roles as a gateway to the African continent for Western developed countries. From a similar perspective, Japan is strengthening the relation with Morocco. Its political stability, geographical proximity to European countries, excellent infrastructure, and young and qualified talents resources makes this country as an excellent investment destination.
Moreover, Japan has been contributing to support Morocco’s further economic development by providing development cooperation, mainly through yen loans, technical assistance for human resource development, dispatching JICA volunteers, and providing grass roots projects in a variety of development fields. The Government of Japan also contribute to development assistance through UN agencies such as UNDP and IOM taking advantage of their expertise. On the other hand, Japan and Morocco have also been working to strengthen mutual understanding at the national level through cooperation in culture, the arts, and education.
Morocco is economically committed to a free trade, capitalist economy and sharing common values such as democracy and the rule of law while politically advocating non-aligned neutrality.
Hideaki Kuramitsu, Ambassador of Japan to Morocco
It has been supported by the activities of non-governmental organizations such as “Morocco-Japan Friendship Association” and the “Moroccan Association for Japanese Language and Culture.” Although the pandemic has forced to limit activities for the last few years, we hope to revitalize exchanges with these organizations again. In this way, Japan is intensifying the bilateral relationship in a multilayered manner, and plans to further strengthen cooperation in the future.
What role does the Embassy play in strengthening Japan – Morocco relations?
The Embassy plays various roles to enhance the bilateral relationship. First, on the political aspects, it is significant to make opportunities of mutual visit to deepen dialogues among minister-level. Last year, Mr. TAKEBE Arata, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Mr. OOIE Satoshi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Finance visited Morocco. Also, Mr. YAMADA Kenji, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, visited there in December.
On the other hand, Mr. Mohcine JAZOULI, Minister Delegate of Investment of the Kingdom of Morocco visited Japan in June. In addition, Ms. Fatima Zahra AMOUR, Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy, came to Japan in October and in the same month, Mr. Aziz AKHANNOUCH, Prime Minister of Morocco visited Japan to attend the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo ABE. The Embassy is committed to keep this virtuous circle of the consolidation of bilateral ties between two countries through reactivated high-level exchanges.
On the economic aspects, the Embassy provides multifaceted support to Japanese companies operating in Morocco. The support ranges various approaches such as briefing about current political and economic situations and through the conclusion of international agreements to promote bilateral trade and investments. Moreover, the Embassy has executed exchanges of views with high-level officials of Morocco in order to encourage private sector investment. Last year, an investment agreement and tax treaty came into effect, which are expected to improve the investment environment.
The Japanese government is supporting Morocco in a wide range of fields, including “agriculture and fisheries”, “infrastructure and human resource development”, “rural development and health”, “water and environment” and “basic education”.
In the area of development cooperation, the Japanese government is supporting Morocco in a wide range of fields, including “agriculture and fisheries”, “infrastructure and human resource development”, “rural development and health”, “water and environment” and “basic education”. In 2003, a framework agreement on “Japan-Morocco Triangular Technical Cooperation Plan for the Promotion of South-South Cooperation in Africa” was signed between the countries. It contributes to capacity building of implementing agencies on the Moroccan side and realizes to economic and social development, particularly in African countries. On the cultural aspects, the Government of Japan provides the scholarship program. 260 Moroccan students have traveled to Japan as scholars in total so far. Many former students financed this scheme are hired by Japanese companies, and they serve as a bridge between two countries.
What message do you have as Morocco celebrates its Independence Day?
In the recent decade, the Middle East and North Africa region has experienced a period of great change, and Morocco has realized political, economic and social stability because of the efforts to promote democracy and achieve industrial diversification and value addition.
Thanks to Morocco’s stability, economic relations between the two countries have grown closer in recent years. I would like to express my deep respect for the efforts of the people of both nation for the bilateral friendship over the past 67 years. I hope that partnership of the two countries will be further strengthened in a wide range, including political, social, and cultural areas, through enhanced dialogue and cooperation in the future.
