KUWAIT CITY, Sept 14: Moroccan Ambassador to Kuwait Ali Ben Issa on Sunday expressed his country’s ambition to double trade exchange with Kuwait and elevate it to advanced levels, reflecting the strong ties between the two brotherly nations.

Ambassador Ben Issa made the remarks during his opening speech at the Kuwaiti-Moroccan Trade Forum, held over two days in Kuwait. The event is organized by the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development and the Moroccan Confederation of Exporters in cooperation with the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with broad participation from Kuwaiti businessmen.

The ambassador described the forum as a valuable platform to strengthen trade relations and broaden cooperation between Moroccan and Kuwaiti companies. He noted a significant rise in Kuwaiti investments in Morocco over the past three years, totaling approximately USD 1.5 billion.

Trade exchange between the two countries has also seen remarkable growth since 2018. Moroccan exports to Kuwait exceeded 216 million Moroccan dirhams (about USD 24 million), while Kuwaiti exports to Morocco reached 1.3 billion dirhams (around USD 140 million).

Ben Issa highlighted promising commercial and investment opportunities, citing Morocco’s ongoing development projects and its upcoming role as co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, which is expected to spur extensive infrastructure investments.

The ambassador affirmed Morocco’s commitment to improving the business environment by implementing a new investment charter, simplifying administrative procedures, and offering financial and tax incentives to attract investors and enhance competitiveness.

He praised the deep historical and bilateral relations between Morocco and Kuwait, especially the strong focus on economic and trade cooperation supported by Kuwaiti institutions, companies, and individuals, taking advantage of Morocco’s diverse investment opportunities across various sectors.

The forum aims to explore investment prospects in Morocco, foster economic partnerships, and expand trade relations through bilateral meetings between Kuwaiti businessmen and representatives of Moroccan companies and institutions.

Representatives of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Kuwait during the forum.