Ambassador Amrani highlighted, in his opening remarks, Morocco's significant economic progress under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, positioning the nation as a regional economic powerhouse and a hub for financial integration in Africa. He emphasized the strong ties between Morocco and the U.S., noting ongoing cooperation across their capital markets and shared interests in security, climate change, and economic development.
Moreover, the Ambassador mentioned the Free Trade Agreement signed in 2004, which boosted bilateral trade and investment, with the U.S. becoming Morocco's third-largest trading partner. He also conveyed Morocco's role in Africa's economic landscape, particularly with the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), offering opportunities for American companies. He highlighted, in this context, Morocco's initiatives to enhance Atlantic Ocean access for African countries, aiming to boost regional connectivity and international trade, including with the U.S.
Mr. Amrani also advocated for closer partnership between the Casablanca and New York Stock Exchanges, anticipating positive impacts on financial cooperation and broader strategic alliances within Africa and the Middle East.
The director of the Casablanca Stock Exchange, Tarik Senhaji, emphasized the visit's aim to connect American investors, including NASDAQ and Intercontinental Exchange, with opportunities in the Moroccan market, particularly regarding the forthcoming derivatives market launch. He echoed the call for enhanced partnership between the two stock exchanges, foreseeing transformative effects on financial cooperation and strategic alliances in the region.
He concluded that financial markets serve as important sources of financing and vital promotional tools for countries. He further emphasized that this initiative, spearheaded by the Moroccan Capital Market Authority, presents an opportunity for both them and the stakeholders who track their progress, notably regulatory bodies, banks, and securities firms, to forge partnerships with American counterparts.