A strong delegation led by Mohamed M’Fadel, president of the urban commune of Mohammedia, and composed of deputies, businessmen, industrialists, athletes, and journalists, stayed in Noginsk, a Russian city twinned with the city of roses. During this stay punctuated by multiple activities including meetings and visits, a meeting was held at the Noginsk town hall during which Vladimir Laptev, elected governor of the local community of Noginsk, Vladimir Khvator, mayor of the city, and the president of the Mohammedia city council, stressed the importance of boosting cooperation between the two cities. "The partnership agreement signed between the two communities in November 2010 encouraged us to deepen cooperation and partnership to offer a better living environment to the inhabitants. The stay of the Moroccan delegation has an importance and a particularity since it coincided with the inauguration of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, as well as the Victory Day. A packed programme was prepared for this occasion which allowed the potential of the two communities to get to know each other and exchange their points of view on the management of public affairs and cooperation," indicates a representative of the Noginsk town hall.
The Moroccan delegation was received by the Moroccan ambassador to Moscow, Abdelkader Lachhab. The latter discussed with the president of the urban commune of Mohammedia the subject of decentralised cooperation, communal diplomacy, and the common will to open up to others. "Russia, as you know, is among the potential markets for Morocco with imports of 60,000 tonnes of potatoes, 40,000 tonnes of tomatoes, and our primary market for citrus fruits," he indicated. In the context of trade exchanges in the agri-food sector, Tahar Bimezzagh, CEO of Koutoubia, and his Russian counterpart, during a visit to a factory in Noginsk, made a presentation of their respective units specialising in the processing of meat and charcuterie. Given the strong demand for Halal in a country of 20 million Muslims, this market is promising. In fact, exchanges in this field will be strengthened. A visit is planned in this context to Mohammedia to allow Russian technicians to discover the unit of the Moroccan company and its know-how in the field.
"The reciprocal visits of the delegations from Noginsk and Mohammedia are complementary. They give us an idea of the opportunities and specificities of each market," affirms Mohamed M’Fadel. The objective of the two cities is to expand cooperation to breathe new life into the relations and ambitions displayed on both sides. The communes of Noginsk and Mohammedia have decided to deepen cooperation and partnership in various fields, notably new technologies. They also agreed to organise a cultural and sporting week in Mohammedia. Furthermore, the representatives of the two communes plan to create a retirement and health home in Mohammedia and to develop a green space bearing the names of the two cities. Technicians in green spaces from the two communities could also exchange their experiences. A programme of architectural, urban, and environmental assistance as well as exchange visits for children and cooperation between football schools are also included in the twinning agreement.
"Cooperation contributes to local development"
"We are aware of the importance of decentralised cooperation and its contribution to local development through the exchange of experiences in the institutional, educational, sporting, economic, cultural, and scientific fields. The presence of the Mohammedia delegation in Noginsk and its participation in the various festivities marking Victory Day testify to the strength of the ties of friendship that unite our two cities and our two countries. We are delighted with the development of exchanges in various fields.
The action of the two cities is in line with bilateral cooperation programmes. Exchanges based on the notion of reciprocal interest are animated by a spirit of openness based on mutual knowledge."
"Twinning is a positive act"
"Beyond the fruitful exchanges in various fields, we aspire for cooperation with the city of Noginsk to be further consolidated to share experiences and regularly exchange information on the economy, trade, education, vocational training, the environment, health, sport, culture, the management of public affairs, etc. During its stay in Mohammedia, the Russian delegation prospected the investment opportunities offered at the level of the city and its region, which are experiencing the realisation of major projects.
The Mohammedia-Noginsk twinning is a positive act that will contribute to developing a new dynamic of cooperation."
