KARACHI: Ambassador of Kingdom of Morocco, Mohamed Karmoune has said that trade between Morocco and Pakistan remains “a little limited and a little shy,” noting that although both countries enjoy excellent political relations, much more needs to be done on the economic and commercial fronts.
“We must work together to become more competitive globally,” he added.
Speaking at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the Moroccan envoy said that the responsibility for low trade volumes lies with both business communities.
“I am not blaming only the business community of Pakistan; I am equally blaming the business community of Morocco. This is a shared challenge that we must collectively address,” he remarked, emphasizing that trade must become one of the most important pillars of bilateral relations between the two brotherly nations.
The ambassador noted that Morocco and Pakistan possess immense potential for cooperation across multiple sectors, including solar energy, wind energy, green technologies, and tourism. Highlighting Morocco’s strong tourism performance, he said the kingdom had welcomed 18 million tourists by the end of November 2024 and continues to invest heavily in developing the sector.
He further informed that Morocco will jointly host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, an event expected to attract a global influx of visitors. “We look forward to receiving more Pakistanis visiting Morocco, not only for the World Cup, but also for business-to-business engagements,” he added.
The ambassador stressed the need for Pakistan’s business community to seize the opportunity to visit Morocco, explore its markets, and tap its vast potential.
“We have a visionary leader, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who has been guiding Morocco’s development at all levels. We need you, the business community of Pakistan, to explore opportunities in the Kingdom of Morocco, enhance your presence, and strengthen our economic partnership.”
President KCCI Rehan Hanif, while welcoming the Moroccan Ambassador, noted that Morocco holds a strategically significant position as a gateway between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Likewise, Pakistan, particularly Karachi, serves as the economic hub of South Asia. He stated that the business community firmly believes Morocco and Pakistan share significant untapped potential across a wide range of sectors, including textiles and apparel, pharmaceuticals and surgical goods, information technology and digital services, agriculture and food processing, tourism, culture and hospitality, renewable energy and mining, engineering products, as well as logistics and shipping linkages between African and South Asian markets.
He added that there is tremendous scope for developing joint ventures that combine Pakistan’s manufacturing strengths with Morocco’s strategic geographic position and its extensive trade agreements with African and European nations.
He further said that the Karachi Chamber has consistently advocated for enhancing Pakistan’s trade footprint in Africa under the “Look Africa” policy. Morocco, being a stable, progressive, and business-friendly country, offers an ideal gateway for Pakistani exporters and investors seeking entry into the African continent.
“We would also welcome initiatives such as business-to-business engagements, exchange of trade delegations, sector-specific visits, and the signing of MoUs to deepen cooperation between both countries,” he noted, adding that KCCI stands fully prepared to work closely with the Embassy of Morocco to facilitate these efforts and connect the Moroccan business community with Pakistan’s largest Chamber.
He also acknowledged the dedicated efforts of Mirza Ishtiaq Baig, Honorary Consul General of Morocco in Karachi, whose tireless contributions have played a vital role in strengthening bilateral relations.
The meeting was attended by KCCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza, Vice President Muhammad Arif Lakhani, members of the KCCI Executive Committee, and members of the Pak–Morocco Business Council.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025