Morocco, Japan pledge to boost transport cooperation

RABAT, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Morocco and Japan pledged to boost cooperation in transport field as ministers of transportation from the two sides met here on Wednesday.

The Moroccan Minister of Equipment, Transportation, Logistics and Water Abdelkader Amara met with Japanese State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Takao Makino to discuss the bilateral cooperation, mainly in the transport field.

Amara hailed in a statement the fruitful cooperation between Morocco and Japan in transport infrastructure, stressing that Tokyo has provided valuable support to his ministry not only in terms of investments, but also in training and exchange of expertise.

He underlined that Japanese firms have shown growing interest in investing in Morocco, adding that the country is encouraging these investments and facilitating partnership between Moroccan and Japanese firms.

Makino expressed his country's willingness to further reinforce bilateral cooperation in various fields of common interest.

He also highlighted the promising venues of cooperation within the framework of Japan-Africa Infrastructure Development Association, established by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in August 2016 to help promote Quality Infrastructure Investment in Africa.

Economic cooperation between Morocco and Japan has witnessed significant growth in the past decade, including an approximately fourfold increase in the number of Japanese companies operating in Morocco.

Over 50 Japanese companies are currently operating in Morocco, creating over 40,000 jobs in several sectors, especially in fishing, phosphates and the automotive sector. Enditem