Speaking at a meeting on Friday during the Trade and Investment Bridge between Turkey and Morocco in Casablanca, organized by the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) in a bid to boost commerce between the two countries, Ergün said there are a great deal of things the two countries could do together. The minister said Turkey has made significant progress in industrialization and that Turkish businessmen can carry out operations around the world. Cooperation between the two countries’ governments and firms is of great importance because Morocco has significant advantages, having ties with countries in Europe, America and Africa, and for this reason, he continued, investing in Morocco should be encouraged.“Our aim is to turn Turkey into an industry hub in Europe producing advanced technologies. In this regard we attach great importance to research and development. We are establishing techno parks and encouraging cooperation between universities and industry. Turkey and Morocco should work together in these fields,” Ergün said.
The minister said the meeting, which was attended by a trade delegation of more than 70 businessmen from Turkey along with more than 400 Moroccan businessmen, gave company representatives from both countries the chance to discuss opportunities for cooperation and added that as the government, they would give the required support to further boost combined efforts. Ergün said they had set their target to increase trade volume between the two countries to $50 billion within the next few years. The Turkish economy is among the top 15 economies in the world, he stated, stressing that that the Turkish economy will be one of the top 10 by 2023. “Turkey exports to more than 200 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of exports are made up of industrial products, and 60 percent of exports go to EU countries. Turkey produces goods to European standards,” he said, adding that Turkey’s foreign trade volume exceeds $300 billion. Trade between Turkey and African countries is increasing and has risen from $5 billion to $17 billion within the last few years, the minister said. The free trade agreement between Turkey and Morocco, which has been in effect since 2006, has contributed to the rise in trade volume between the two countries. However, Ergün continued, it should be broadened, enabling more businessmen to take advantage of the agreement.
Giving the automotive industry as an example of one of the developed sectors in Turkey, Ergün explained that annual vehicle output in is approximately 1.5 million and that the aim is to increase this figure to 2 million in the coming years. Eighty percent of vehicle production is exported overseas. Turkish automotive firms are ready to make investments in Morocco, too, he said.
“We would like to take advantage of Turkey’s experience, especially in the automotive industry, along with textiles and the white goods sector,” said Moroccan Industry, Commerce and New Technologies Minister Ahmed Reda Chami. Turkey and Morocco could make joint investments in southern European countries which offer lucrative opportunities in the auto market, he said. “We are the only country that has free trade with America, Europe and Africa. I believe this will encourage Turkish businessmen to invest in Morocco,” he said, noting that they would like to establish a joint committee to outline opportunities for cooperation and investment.
Rızanur Meral, head of TUSKON, cited Morocco as the gateway to North Africa and said trade volume between the two countries had increased tenfold in last seven years, and added that they hope this figure will continue to rise.
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