FM Urges Moroccan, Bissau-Guinean Economic Operators to Capitalize on Two Countries’ Opportunities

Laayoune - The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita, on Tuesday in Laayoune, called on Moroccan and Bissau-Guinean economic operators and investors to capitalize on the opportunities offered by both countries in various sectors. Speaking at the opening of the 3rd session of the Morocco-Guinea-Bissau Joint Cooperation Commission, Mr. Bourita emphasized the necessity of joint action to establish the foundations of dynamic cooperation in all priority areas, namely health, education, vocational training, energy, agriculture, and maritime fishing, highlighting that Morocco is willing to set up a business council including Moroccan economic operators and their Bissau-Guinean counterparts. He praised, in this regard, the contribution of the Moroccan private sector to the promising development process in which Guinea-Bissau is engaged, particularly concerning the banking sector, air transport, and telecommunications. Bourita stressed that holding this mini sterial meeting in LaSyoune attests to the quality of the privileged relations and the centuries-old ties uniting the two countries, welcoming the dynamism of bilateral relations since the historic visit of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to Guinea-Bissau in May 2015. He expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the Bissau-Guinean Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Communities, Carlos Pinto Pereira, for the constant and insightful position of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau in favor of the territorial integrity of the Kingdom and its unwavering support for the Moroccan Sahara. "The Republic of Guinea-Bissau has always been a staunch defender of Morocco's right to its Sahara and the legitimacy of its cause on the international stage," he said, noting that this position was crowned by the opening of a Consulate General of Guinea-Bissau in Dakhla on October 23, 2020. The holding of the 3rd session of the Morocco-Guinea-Bissau Joint Cooperation Commission is part of the common will of the leaders of the two countries, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, and His Excellency President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, to deepen cooperation between Morocco and Guinea-Bissau and elevate it to the level of strategic cooperation and partnership relations. Based on the conviction of the importance of its African depth, said Mr. Bourita, Morocco has always been committed, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, to make South-South cooperation, particularly with African countries, a major lever for achieving sustainable development, progress, and prosperity for African peoples through win-win partnerships. Bourita recalled in this context the numerous Royal initiatives benefiting the Atlantic African countries and those favoring the access of Sahel countries to the Atlantic to guarantee the conditions for the emergence of a new era of shared development and prosperity for the African peoples. He added that the Kingdom is committed to supporting the port infrastructure projects launched by the government of Guinea-Bissau, notably the ports of Bissau and Buba, through the establishment of a framework favoring partnership between the two parties in terms of support and modernization of ports, affirming that Morocco is committed to accompanying Guinea-Bissau in the development of projects and programs of its national development plan. The Minister also praised the political will demonstrated by the government of Guinea-Bissau and its serious commitment to the realization of the Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline through the signing of the tripartite memorandum of understanding in December 2022, adding that this megaproject represents a symbol of South-South cooperation, which southern countries should encourage to consolidate the African development model advocated by His Majesty the King. To strengthen the cooperation ties between Morocco and Guinea-Bissau, Bourita continued, "it is time to form a ministerial commission for monitoring, orientation, and evaluation, chaired by the foreign ministers of both countries, composed of the essential sectors concerned by this partnership, and tasked with ensuring the coordination of sectoral policies and strategies." Furthermore, the Minister emphasized that the Kingdom has demonstrated its willingness to activate new mechanisms of exchange and sharing of expertise in the scientific and technical fields, in addition to cultural and academic exchanges, similar to what is being done with other brotherly and friendly countries. He noted, in this regard, that cooperation in these sectors has made remarkable progress, allowing many students and professionals from Guinea-Bissau to benefit from scholarships and enrollments in public higher education institutions in Morocco. Bourita praised the notable development achieved by the Republic of Guinea-Bissau under the leadership of H.E. Umaro Sissoco Embalo, particularly concerning the anchoring of political stability and the promotion of socio-economic development. He also expressed h is appreciation for the role played by Guinea-Bissau within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its tireless efforts as an indispensable actor in the fight against all manifestations of extremism and terrorism in the region. Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse