Xinhuanet
Xinhua
Moroccan and Belgian businessmen Wednesday explored prospects of joint partnership in Africa in the Moroccan financial capital Casablanca.
During conference themed “Together to Africa,” hundreds of Moroccan and Belgian economic operators discussed mechanisms to step up their cooperation in the African market.
Speaking at the conference, Belgian Deputy Prime minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Didier Reynders, said Morocco is a privileged partner to boost investment in African countries and contribute to the continent’s sustainable development.
He noted that African countries need 3.3 to 4.5 billion U.S. dollars in investment every year to achieve their sustainable development goals, while the current level of public and private investment is estimated at 1.4 billion U.S. dollars.
Reynders said that supporting regional economic actors like Morocco is a crucial step in increasing foreign direct investment in Africa and contributing to regional integration.
For his part, Moroccan Minister Delegate for African Cooperation, Mohcine Jazouli, said that his country’s location as a gateway to Africa and Belgium’s central position in Europe help play a key role in development of Africa.
He added that this role can be achieved either by joint partnership between the two countries or through triangular cooperation with other African nations. Enditem
