Morocco and China have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the agricultural field in order to strengthen food security and increase the contribution of agriculture to the gross domestic product.
The agreement was signed Tuesday in Rabat by the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Mohamed Siddiqui, and his Chinese counterpart, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Tang Renjian.
The agreement aims to enhance mutual cooperation and joint development in agriculture, enhance food security and contribute to economic development.
The Moroccan Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries indicated that the memorandum concerned irrigation water and fish farming, “in view of China’s progress in these areas… in addition to animal and vegetable production”.
The Moroccan official also explained that scientific research, innovation and digitization are among the foundations and levers of cooperation between the two countries under the supervision of the two ministries, in order to implement the content of the memorandum. and to achieve its objectives, specifies the same source.
Bilateral trade between China and Morocco has increased by 50% over the past five years, from an average of $4 billion in 2016 to $6 billion in 2021.
According to the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, more than 80 joint projects with China or Chinese companies are active in the country, and being implemented throughout the Kingdom.
Morocco is the first country in Africa to have joined the “Belt and Road” initiative in January 2022, according to government statements at the time.
The “Belt and Road” is a Chinese initiative also known as the “New Silk Road” for the 21st century, and aims to pump huge investments to develop the infrastructure of global economic corridors, connecting more than 70 country.
The initiative was launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. It is a project to establish a land belt of railways and roads across Central Asia and Russia, and a sea route which allows China to reach Africa and Europe through the China Sea and the Indian Ocean, at a total cost of one trillion dollars.
