MyAJC
Atlanta Journal Constitution
The U.S.-Morocco Trade and Investment Forum, held recently at Coca-Cola’s Atlanta headquarters, allowed business leaders and government officials from our two nations to explore mutual trade and investment opportunities.
In 2014, Georgia exported more than $71 million worth of goods and services to Morocco – with the total U.S. figure at more than $2.1 billion. Since 2010, Georgia has been the seventh-largest U.S. exporter to Morocco, averaging more than $88 million in exports annually since 2010.
Georgia companies such as AGCO, Georgia-Pacific and Newell Rubbermaid have a presence in Morocco, through distribution channels that cover the entire country. Coca-Cola’s operations in the North African nation have, on their own, resulted in 70,000 related jobs.
Georgia’s exports to Morocco include everything from paper and agricultural products to machinery, plastics and rubber products, computer and electronic products, appliances, chemicals, minerals and ores and more. All support Georgia’s economy and create jobs.
In 2011, Morocco joined the United States in signing the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), which raises the standard for intellectual property rights enforcement internationally. In doing so, it protects Georgia businesses’ and inventors’ ingenuity and competitiveness.
Last year, I visited Morocco on a Congressional delegation that was focused on fostering and solidifying political, economic, technical and cultural cooperation between the two countries and followed a recent visit by a Moroccan delegation to the United States.
During the trip, I was impressed by the country’s modernity, openness and its bustling businesses.
There, I learned that Morocco was the first country to recognize the newly independent United States in 1777 and that we share our oldest commercial treaty with Morocco, as well.
This strong trade relationship is almost as old as the U.S. itself. The 1786 U.S. Treaty of Friendship and Commerce with Morocco remains in force today and is the longest unbroken treaty in American history.
I also was impressed with the fact our countries collaborate in a number of areas beyond business, including counter terrorism and security.
As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I knew Morocco hosts the U.S.’s largest military exercises every year on the African continent, called the African Lion. But I did not know Morocco was among the first Arab and Islamic states to denounce the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and declare solidarity with the American people in fighting terrorism.
Today, it is one of our most important allies in the fight against the Islamic State and remains one of our closest allies, as affirmed by their zero-tolerance policy towards al-Qaeda and their affiliated groups.
In 2012, under the leadership of President Barack Obama and King Mohammed VI, Morocco became the first Arab and African country to enter into a strategic dialogue with the U.S.
Morocco continues to work with the U.S. and the international community on key shared issues, providing leadership in international efforts to counter violent extremism, hosting global conferences on the environment and climate change and offering support to eliminate racism and human trafficking.
In 2016, Morocco takes its next step in its commitment to fighting extremism by co-hosting with the U.S. the Global Counter-terrorism Forum.
Morocco has also shown sustained, incremental progress toward democracy and shares many of our democratic values as significant reforms have taken place in the areas of migrant rights, women’s rights, and civil justice.
I hope and fully expect that the recent forum in Atlanta will result in even stronger connections between Georgia and Morocco.
I not only stand by this crucial bilateral relationship that continues to support local jobs, but I plan to continue the dialogue and foster the close relationship with Morocco as an important trading partner to the U.S. — and more specifically Georgia.
Congressman Hank Johnson represents Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District.
