Accompanied by Zakia Sekkat, Honorary Consul of Chile in Tangier, the Ambassador of Chile to Morocco, Carlos Charme Silva, met on Thursday, April 11, with officials from the Tangier Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services (CCIST). The proceedings of this meeting, which took place in the presence of, among others, Rachid Mechkouri and Mohamed Bachir Mahdi, respectively President of the External Relations and Partnership Commission and Director of the CCIST, had as their main objective to raise awareness of the opportunities offered by the Chilean market and the possibilities for partnership between economic operators of both countries. According to Mr. Silva, this working meeting is part of the strengthening of cooperation relations between Morocco and Chile. "Morocco and Chile possess significant natural economic potential to be leveraged to establish a solid partnership between operators and investors from both countries," he affirms.

Officials from both sides were keen to recall the points of similarity between Morocco and Chile in terms of geography, history, and culture, but also in terms of dynamics and internal and international development. "There is therefore a proximity and an understanding that must be developed," states Mr. Silva.

It must be recalled, however, that trade between Morocco and Chile remains underdeveloped and does not reflect the level of bilateral relations. "Moroccan exports to our country are evolving less compared to Moroccan imports from Chile," explains Mr. Silva. The latter calls for seizing the opportunities offered by Chile, particularly in sectors with high development potential such as mining. "Moroccan products can access Latin American markets through Chile," says Mr. Silva, recalling that "starting from the multiple points of convergence between the two countries, Morocco would be a bridge to the Middle East and Africa for Chilean companies, and Chile a bridge to Latin America for Moroccan companies."

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Mechkouri stated that Morocco, like Chile, has committed to a new economic and commercial dynamic that has given rise to a series of structural reforms at the economic, financial, and commercial levels, which allow for investments on both sides and the sharing of experiences and transfer of know-how between the two countries. Seeking to diversify its external outlets, particularly with emerging countries, the Kingdom now considers "Chile as a platform for Moroccan products in the South American market," he affirms.

For his part, Mr. Mahdi highlighted the importance of economic complementarity between Morocco and Chile. This complementarity concerns "multiple sectors such as renewable energies, services, biotechnology, seafood processing, agro-industry, the mining sector, information technology, the pharmaceutical industry, minerals, and handicrafts," concludes Mr. Mahdi.