UK seeks major opportunities with Morocco after the Brexit

The UK is expected to sign, next year, a commercial and security accord with Morocco, citing the latter’s role as the gateway to Africa in terms of goods and access, reported the Daily Express.

Morocco has piqued Britain’s interest as a potentially important partner in a major trade and security agreement post-Brexit. This deal has the potential to open up significant prospects for the UK across the whole African continent.

Boris Johnson, former UK Prime Minister, reportedly celebrated the doubling of trade with Morocco since Brexit as proof of the advantages of leaving the EU.

Morocco, on the other hand, sees itself as an ideal trade partner for post-Brexit Britain because “it is one of the most stable countries in the region and, as a monarchy under the reign of its current King Mohammed VI,” according to the same source.

Morocco’s ambassador to the UK, Hakim Hajoui, underlined the benefits of sourcing produce from Morocco rather than the EU post-Brexit.

In an interview with the Daily Express, Hajoui stressed that Morocco already supplies 45% of the UK tomato market, providing cheaper and more sustainable alternatives than those produced by artificial heating systems coming from the Netherlands.

He encouraged British people, who complain about the price of produce coming from the EU, to purchase Moroccan tomatoes and noted the North African’s potential for bigger opportunities.

“We can offer much more than fresh tomatoes and raspberries. Take energy for example. Morocco has massively invested in green energy and has the potential to contribute to the energy security of its strategic partners,” underscored Hajoui.

He also said that Morocco, home to approximately 700,000 cars annually, is experiencing a growing industry. He believed, “In terms of cooperation, the prospects [of a deal with the UK] are immensely promising, encompassing both business and security sectors.”

At the cultural level, Morocco is shifting towards the UK, moving away from France, and is also embracing the English language, especially among younger generations, which is crucial for business, added Hajoui.

The strong ties between the two Kingdoms, according to the Moroccan Diplomat, became more evident when Morocco chose the UK as an international relief partner rather than France following the earthquake that rattled the region of Al Haouz on September 8.

“Looking at trade and business possibilities for the UK, there’s a considerable chance not only in Morocco but also in tapping into Africa, which is poised to be tomorrow’s largest consumer market,” said Hajoui while talking about the significance of a trade deal with the North African country.

Morocco is the continent’s second-largest investor, accounting for a sizable part of all foreign direct investments (FDI), highlighted Morocco’s ambassador to the UK.

In addition, a pact with Morocco offers not only trade benefits but also fortify security cooperation. As a key player in North Africa and the Middle East with the Israel-Gaza conflict, Morocco is assisting with food and energy supplies, defense, and intelligence.

However, the possibility of an agreement may be contingent on the UK joining the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain in supporting Morocco in settling the domestic issue of the disputed Moroccan Sahara territory, highlighted the Daily Express.

The Ambassador talked about the tremendous support that Morocco has received from the U.S., and several European countries as well as Arab and African countries. By opening consulates in the region, these countries have acknowledged Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, he said.

“So how about the UK? That is the question everybody is asking,” concluded Morocco’s ambassador to the UK.

Since the Brexit, the trade with Morocco has increased from 15.3 billion dirhams to 23 billion dirhams, according to the Moroccan-British Association Council.

The volume of trade between the UK and Morocco in the first half of 2023 reached £3.4 billion, a rise of £661 million over the same period in 2022.

In November, Heather Wheeler OBE, Chair of the APPG, urged the UK government to renew agricultural trade ties with Morocco, citing a report highlighting Moroccan Fresh produce’s year-round stocking in UK supermarkets.

Wheeler asserted the importance of continuing these ties as it keeps British families well-fed with affordable, secure produce and helps economic development in Morocco.