The US and Morocco have made "tremendous progress" in recently concluded trade negotiations in Morocco, according to Assistant US Trade Representative Catherine Novelli. Negotiations leading to a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the US and Morocco should be finished by the end of the year, Novelli said.
"We see this agreement as an incredible opportunity for Morocco and for the United States," Novelli said. "We are committed to fully opening our markets to Moroccan products and to working with our colleagues on health and safety issues, marketing issues, business match-making, to produce concrete results for the Moroccan people and the US people."
Although Novelli said the provisions of the agreement are not yet complete, the US and Morocco "share common goals in moving forward with an agreement that supports the economic reforms that His Majesty [King Mohammed] and the government have begun; creates economic opportunities for Moroccans and for U.S. citizens; and results in raising the standard of living for both of our countries."
The next round of negotiations is scheduled to take place in Washington in July. Novelli and Moroccan Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Taieb Fassi Fihri spoke at a joint press conference in Rabat on June 5, 2003. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
