The Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry, Nir Barkat, announced on Wednesday that Israel is proposing to collaborate with the Moroccan government on developing projects to produce food in the Moroccan desert through the use of biotechnology.
Speaking at the Moroccan International Agricultural Exhibition (SIAM), Barkat highlighted Israel’s experience in cultivating arid areas, such as the Negev desert in southern Israel, which has attracted a large number of investors, Spanish news agency EFE reported.
Barkat emphasized that Morocco is a gateway for Israeli investment in Africa and that both countries can consolidate their cooperation to tackle common challenges in agriculture, such as drip irrigation and desalination of seawater to fight against water scarcity.
The volume of trade between Morocco and Israel reached $180 million in 2022, according to official statistics, representing a 160% increase compared to 2020.
This visit marks Barkat’s first official visit to Morocco since the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries in December 2020, following the recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the territory of Sahara by the former US President Donald Trump.
Since then, the two countries have forged a close relationship in defense, health, industry, technology, and agriculture, with the latter being one of the areas of high priority in cooperation.
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